A couple faced legal consequences and were fined following a disturbing altercation in which they mistreated their infant after consuming vodka for five hours on a plane bound for Crete at Manchester airport. The incident involved the woman, identified as Beth Jones (27 years old), and her partner, Kieran Cunnah (30 years old), who also subjected the airline staff to verbal abuse. Media reports shed light on the incident.According to the report, the woman, who previously worked as a nurse in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, accidentally dropped her baby and was subsequently removed from the TUI flight.Prosecutors stated that during the incident, as Cunnah attempted to pass Beth across the aisle, the child accidentally fell to the floor. Beth then placed the child back on the seat but inadvertently bumped into her again while trying to leave the plane, causing her to fall to the floor for a second time. Fortunately, the child did not sustain any significant injuries as a result of these incidents.image source: twitterIn the meantime, Beths partner, Cunnah, engaged in disruptive behaviour by throwing money at the flight attendants and shouting, “How much do you want from us”During the court proceedings at Tameside Magistrates court, Brian Wilson, one of the flight attendants who handled the situation, expressed, “It was the most challenging situation I have ever encountered, not only due to their intoxication on the flight but primarily because they were utterly incapable of taking care of their own child.”Describing the situation, the flight attendant stated, “Upon witnessing the child fall from the aisle seat, I immediately moved down to retrieve her. However, I felt Cunnahs hand on my shoulder. Both individuals appeared extremely unsteady on their feet, and at one point, Cunnah even held onto me for support.”She further shared, “After the incident, when I returned to my office, I had to take a few minutes to compose myself due to the intensity of the situation I had just encountered.”THE COUPLE WAS DRUNK BEFORE BOARDING THE FLIGHTAccording to Eileen Rodgers, the prosecutor handling the case, the couple had arrived at the airport ahead of time due to a security delay warning. They swiftly passed through security and entered the Terminal 2 departure lounge at Manchester airport. In the lounge, they purchased a bottle of Ciroc vodka from the duty-free section.Rodgers stated, “They had a meal and then proceeded to have drinks at the bar before their scheduled departure. However, they were informed that their flight had been further delayed until 4:45 pm, which resulted in their consumption of alcohol being extended.” As a result, the couple decided to return to the departure lounge and finish the bottle of Ciroc they had bought, along with mixers they had also obtained from the duty-free area.THE CHARGESIn the meantime, the couple pleaded guilty to charges of child neglect and being intoxicated on the aircraft.Jones, who had been employed as a nurse for a decade but resigned from her position, received a sentence requiring her to complete a 12-month community order. Additionally, she was mandated to attend 20 rehabilitation days and abstain from alcohol for a period of 90 days. In addition to these requirements, she was fined ã50 and ordered to pay ã195 in costs.Cunnah, who was already serving a 32-month prison term for causing serious injury through dangerous driving in an unrelated case, had his sentence extended by an additional three months. He was also instructed to pay ã100 in costs and a ã128 statutory charge.
