Man taken off easyJet flight for racist abuse gives foolish 5-word excuse

A man who was taken off an easyJet flight for racist abuse has given a foolish five-word excuse for his behaviour. 44-year-old Christopher Burgess was returning to Manchester from Alicante, on November 8 last year when officers arrived to find him being restrained by other easyJet passengers.

He was restrained after he had been "biting and spitting" that lasted for about half an hour, the MEN reports. Terrified families with children moved away from Burgess to "keep their distance" with some kids being shielded by their parents.

Officers attempted to restrain him, but he resisted arrest by putting his arms under his body. When he appeared in court for his behaviour, he gave a strange five-word excuse saying the reason for his behaviour was: "I hadn't eaten all day".

On his way to a local police station, Burgess continued to be abusive and made racist and homophobic comments. The defendant responded told police as an officer tried to stop him banging his head in a van: "F*** off, you **** c***".

Prosecutor Bradley Mathew said of his fellow passenger: "They could clearly smell intoxicants, he was slurring his speech and frothing at the mouth."

As Burgess resisted arrest by putting his arms under his body, police deployed "distracted shots" to get him to release his arms so he could be placed in leg restraints. Burgess also had a spit hood placed over him, the court heard. Another passenger said he had been "repeatedly abused" by Burgess during he flight, claiming he had attempted to bite him.

He was interviewed the following day and said he didn't remember what happened. The officer said: "Hearing all the racist abuse made me feel very angry. Someone so open about being racist, who showed no remorse, it's something I will never be able to forgive."

At Minshull Street Crown Court, defending barrister David Mercer said Burgess was "highly embarrassed" by what had happened. Mr Mercer said he told the court that Burgess had been away on a short break after he received the news his mum was in hospital suffering from sepsis.

"He dashed to the airport, had a few drinks and then had some more on the plane," Mr Mercer said. "He hadn't eaten all day."

Burgess' mum has since died. Mr Mercer added: "He made it worse for himself and he is ashamed of it."

Burgess, of Elizabeth Street, Whitefield, in Bury, was jailed for 24 weeks. He previously admitted to having entered an aircraft when drunk and racially aggravated harassment.

Sentencing judge timothy Clayson added: "It is a deeply distressing and terribly frightening experience to be in an aeroplane when somebody, such as you, behaves in a totally aggressive and difficult manner."

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