Boozy Airplane Passenger Bites Fellow Traveller At 30,000 Feet

Bite: Joshua McArthy 

A drunken plane passenger, who clamped his jaws around a fellow-traveller's arm during a brawl on a BA flight from Dubai, received a suspended prison sentence today.

Self-employed electrician Joshua McArthy, 21, left fashion industry worker Christopher McMerlin with a deep bite mark that became infected.

Earlier during the April 1 flight McArthy, of Acacia Way, Sidcup, who was travelling home with his parents after a holiday, spat into the hair of the passenger sitting in front of him, Steven Cheek.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting Stratford-upon-Avon man Mr. McMerlin and Mr. Cheek, being drunk on an aircraft and using threatening behaviour on the seven-hour flight.

McArthy, who had downed five mini-bottles of wine on the plane, received nine months imprisonment, suspended for eighteen months.

He must also complete 220 hours community service work, pay £400 compensation to Mr. McMerlin, £250 to Mr. Cheek, £300 costs and £100 victim surcharge.

A 30-second clip was posted on the internet and Mr. McMerlin, who works for 'trend forecasting' company WGSN was rewarded with a seat in the cockpit for the remainder of the flight.

Recorder Sandeep Kainth told the first-time offender: 'Your behaviour was absolutely disgraceful. You were intoxicated to such an extent a member of the public felt he had to intervene.

"There were families and young children present. The bite to Mr. McMerlin lasted two minutes, a quite substantial assault.

"The transfer of spittle to another, well that's absolutely disgusting. you've let yourself and your family down and turned what was a wonderful experience for those travelling home with a sour taste in their mouths."

The court heard the plane was full of families returning home from the Easter break and 90 minutes from arrival at Heathrow Airport McArthy began rowing with his mother.

Mr. Cheek, travelling with his fiancé and child, was sitting directly in front of the defendant and heard McArthy tell his mother: "I'm going to hurt you."

McMerlin: Flight Wound

McArthy then kneeled on his seat gesticulating wildly and knocked Mr. Cheek's pillow before twice making a snorting and spitting noise.

"I could feel a wet substance on the back of my head," Mr. Cheek told police. 'I was angry I'd been spat on and told him to sit down and shut up."

The cabin crew got involved as McArthy shouted: "I'm going to kill you," and flight attendant Hayley Morgan was called a: "Red-headed Nazi bitch."

As McArthy began climbing over seats to get at Mr. Cheek and Mr. McMerlin jumped in to help. 

"He is bitten by the defendant, a prolonged bite and it only ends when he is pulled by the ear by Miss Morgan," explained prosecutor Mr. Douglas Adams.

"He was very aggressive to anyone trying to stop him getting to the passenger in front."

McArthy was heard constantly shouting: "C***, bitch, f***" during the  disturbance and he was eventually handcuffed and secured to his seat.

At Heathrow police were waiting: "He was still clearly drunk and was arrested," said Mr. Adams. "He was remorseful, apologetic and said he could not remember what had happened."

Miss Morgan was left with bruising to both legs, her left arm and ached down her right side.

Mr. McMerlin was given a course of antibiotics and Miss Morgan says she had nightmares as a result of the incident.

Mr. McMerlin said: "I received an incredibly vicious bite Despite biting through a jumper blood was drawn and the pain of the bite was incredible, a pain I don't want to experience again."

His sex life was put on hold until given the all clear and he described waiting for blood tests results as "unbearably anxious."

"I am left with a complete jaw scar on my arm."

McArthy's lawyer Mr. Nicholas Robinson told the court: "This was extremely out of character, he feels utter shame and is deeply remorseful.

"He went from tipsy to very drunk in an instant."