Drunk BA Passenger Slaps Wife, Assaults Crew, Jailed 14 Months

A 64-year-old married businessman faces 14 months in prison after slapping his wife and attempting to kiss a British Airways flight attendant while intoxicated on a flight from the Bahamas to London Heathrow.

Flight Chaos Unfolds

Philip Gould drank vodka and wine aboard the British Airways service on June 25 last year, returning from a luxury trip in Grand Cayman. When crew denied him more alcohol, he propositioned a male flight attendant, suggesting they go to the toilet together for a sexual encounter.

Gould unleashed a barrage of expletives at the cabin crew, then charged toward the cockpit, yelling at the pilot. About three hours into the flight, crew noticed his intoxication. He banged on the cockpit door, shouting at staff, the captain, and passengers.

Crew positioned themselves to block access to the flight deck. Gould pushed a crew member in the chest, causing him to stumble into a passenger. Staff alerted the captain and urged Gould to calm down, but he escalated, screaming, “I’ll kill you. There are not enough people on the plane to restrain me.”

He then slapped his wife, Jurkea, and grabbed her by the hair. When a flight attendant intervened, Gould yelled, “Why are you talking to my wife, you are a sl**. You’re pretty.” He stood, put his arms around her, kissed a male flight attendant on the cheek, and nibbled his ear.

Court Proceedings and Sentencing

Ashleigh Ettienne, prosecuting, described the events: “The defendant’s escalating behaviour was frightening and he became a serious safety issue.” Crew deemed his actions a major safety threat.

Gould eventually fell asleep. Police arrested him upon landing at Heathrow on the Boeing 777-200. He had pleaded guilty to sexual assault, behavior likely to endanger an aircraft, and being intoxicated on board.

Judge Fiona Barrie imposed a 14-month jail sentence. Gould claimed the mix of wine and vodka overwhelmed him. Manny Arora, defending, noted Gould’s PTSD and remorse, stating he was not intoxicated when boarding but accepted consuming vodka. “He accepts he consumed some vodka. But when he entered the aircraft, he was not intoxicated,” Arora said.