Trio fined for aircraft scare (From Barry And District News)

Trio fined for aircraft scare

TWO men and a youth whose bad behaviour forced an aeroplane to land in Rhoose-based Cardiff International Airport have been fined by Barry Magistrates Court.

Joseph Duffy, 19, of Columbia Way, Westwood, Glasgow, Hugh Haggerty, 37, from Gourock Crescent, Inverclyde and a youth all pleaded guilty to a number of charges.

The court heard how they were involved in a series of incidents that led to the pilot of a Boeing 737 aircraft sending out an emergency 'Mayday' call and landing at Rhoose.

The flight was travelling from the Spanish airport of Santiago to Glasgow when the call was put out.

It was carrying 148 Celtic football team fans and landed on the runway at approximately 3.15pm on Friday, December 13, 2002, after the pilot reported a disturbance on board.

The plane was grounded and in an operation that involved 60 police officers, a number of passengers were arrested.

The youth pleaded guilty to being drunk in an aircraft and smoking in a compartment where smoking was prohibited.

Duffy also pleaded guilty to being drunk in an aircraft.

Haggerty pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of the crew of the aircraft.

The youth was fined £200, Duffy was fined £150 and Haggerty was fined £100.

They were ordered to pay £35 each in costs and credit was given for their guilty pleas.