Man jailed for air rage

[Shin Orochi]

Singapore
Feb 11, 2010

Man jailed for air rage

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong, Court Correspondent

A DRUNK businessman who kicked a Qantas Airlines customer service supervisor as the plane was landing was sentenced to four weeks' jail on Thursday. Jeswan Gupta Ramjee Teli, 45, who admitted to causing hurt to Mr Mark Heatley, 43, was fined $800 for behaving in a drunk manner in the economy class cabin of the flight from Perth to Singapore on Sept 5, 2008. He is appealing against his jail sentence. Bail of $8,000 was offered. The court heard that Jeswan had had four small bottles of wine when Mr Heatley refused his request for another. Enraged, Jeswan pushed and abused the victim, who managed to calm him down with the help of his colleagues. Over the next 20 minutes, Jeswan demanded for wine five times. As the plane was about to land, he walked up to Mr Heatley's seat and the latter told him several times to return to his seat. Jeswan refused, pulled the victim, grabbed his right shoulder and kicked him on his throat with his right shin. Jeswan has paid $6,000 to Mr Heatley who has forgiven him.

 

[Tadakatsu Honda]

Plane rage man jailed

Singapore
Feb 12, 2010

Plane rage man jailed

<!-- by line --> By Elena Chong

A SINGAPORE businessman who turned violent when he was refused more alcohol during a flight has been dealt a four-week jail sentence. Jeswan Gupta Ramjee Teli was also fined $800 yesterday by District Judge Joseph Yeo for behaving in a drunken manner during the Qantas flight from Perth to Singapore on Sept 5, 2008. The 46-year-old is out on $8,000 bail, pending his appeal against the jail sentence. Deputy Public Prosecutor Terence Chua told the court that Jeswan had a number of drinks during the five-hour flight, including a can of beer during the meal service. He also finished five small bottles of wine. Wanting another tipple, Jeswan went to the rear of the plane and asked flight attendant Mark Heatley for another bottle. When he was refused, Jeswan pushed and abused the attendant. With the help of four other cabin crew staff, Mr Heatley managed to calm the man down and usher him to his seat. Over the following 20 minutes, however, he got up again and asked for more wine. As the plane was descending into Changi Airport, Jeswan left his seat and approached Mr Heatley. After being told to return to his seat, he pulled the attendant and grabbed his shoulder before kicking him on the throat with his shin.

Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

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Jeswan Gupta Ramjee Teli (above) who admitted to causing hurt to Mr Mark Heatley was fined $800 for behaving in a drunk manner in the economy class cabin of the flight from Perth to Singapore on Sept 5, 2008. -- ST PHOTO: CAROLINE CHIA

 

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Jeswan’s alcohol/blood level was 196mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood, more than twice the legal limit if he was driving.

Lawyer Subhas Anandan

Lawyer Subhas Anandan said his client, who was in the police force until 1995, has travelled to Perth numerous times and not caused any problems for the airline. What his client did that day was out of character, and he has shown his remorse by compensating the victim with $6,000.
After the sentence was passed, Mr Heatley stood up and said he had forgiven Jeswan. The judge, though, said passenger and crew safety is paramount, and the courts take a tough line on such incidents.
Jeswan could have been jailed for up to two years and/or fined up to $5,000 for causing hurt.