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.
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 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.
