Pervert Gynaecologist Gets 8 Years For Molesting Patients

"Perverse": Patwardhan

A "perverse" consultant gynaecologist has been jailed for eight years for groping four female patients during private and NHS consultations.

Typically Mahesh Patwardhan, 53, would bend them over an examination couch and fondle their breasts from behind, even asking one woman to reveal her tattooed bum.

Woolwich Crown Court heard Patwardhan, of Alderton Hill, Loughton, Essex was turned on by rubbing himself against the women as he groped them.

He saw NHS patients at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlton and private patients at The Blackheath Hospital and The Holly, Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

The Indian-born father-of-two, whose wife and grown-up son and daughter were in court, was convicted of four counts of sexual assault between July 31, 2008 and September 24, 2012.

Patwardhan, who is married to anaesthetist, was also convicted of two counts of fraud relating to falsely billing private medical insurers for work he did not perform.

The already-disgraced doctor had been struck-off by the General Medical Council in October, 2014 and publicity from that case prompted more victims to come forward.

An investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command and Patwardhan was arrested on November 20, 2014 as he stepped-off a flight from India at Heathrow Airport.

Judge Alice Robinson told him this morning: "You indulged in totally unnecessary breast examinations for your own perverse sexual gratification and some of the patients suffered severe psychological harm.

"Almost the most shocking aspect was your cavalier attitude to the wholesale falsification of medical records."

In Custody: Patwardhan

She also ordered him to sign the sex offenders register for life and he will be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

The judge said one victim impact statement was: "One of the most harrowing I have ever read. You knew she was vulnerable because of sexual abuse she had suffered and she's withdrawn from the world.

"Another woman has attempted suicide and says you have ruined her life." 

His QC Mr. David Etherington said: "The entire family are standing by him, plus a large community of friends.

"It's obvious he is never going to practise again as a doctor. This amounts to a total destruction of this man's career, everything he's studied and worked for.

"He's going to have to start his life again when he comes out of prison."

Prosecutor Miss Kate Bex told the jury a 32 year-old mum-of-three was seen at the Queen Elizabeth in 2008. 

"He came behind her and put his arms around her and onto her breasts.

"He groped her breasts and squeezed them with his hands and she was in total shock," added Miss Bex, explaining the woman made an excuse to avoid removing the rest of her clothing.

In digitally-recorded interview with police the woman explained: "He came behind us and that's when he put his hands on us. He wasn't talking, he was just groping my breasts.

"It was horrible, I was in total shock. I didn't know what to do, I felt sick and disgusted.

"When he said: 'Take your knickers off' I knew something was wrong. If I had lied on that couch and took my knickers off what would he have done?"

Another woman, a 37 year-old mum-of-two, says Patwardhan became more intimate after sizing her up.

"The cuddling started after her second or third visit," explained Miss Bex. "He'd hug her goodbye and push his body into her, grab her bottom and kiss her on the cheek.

"He examined her breasts after asking her to bend over the couch and asked her to show him the tattoo on her bum."

A 30 year-old woman was a private Blackheath Hospital patient, who had an ovarian cyst.

"The defendant put his arms around her, his hand on her knee and told her she was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

"He asked her to bend over the couch and she could feel his body pressing against hers from behind while cupping her breasts.

"She thought he became aroused and she was embarrassed so put her clothes on and left the room as fast as she could."

Patwardhan offered to investigate the back pain of a woman aged 26. "He felt her spine and then cupped her breasts."

A 35 year-old private patient gave Patwardhan the opportunity to make some extra money out of her insurers.

He performed intimate cosmetic surgery on the woman, but billed her insurers - AXA PPP - for cyst removal because they would not cover the true operation, the jury were told.

"Afterwards he told her she would soon be having: 'Lots of sexy sex and orgasms' in a way that gave her the creeps,"  said Miss Bex.

Patwardhan was cleared of sexually assaulting this patient and a 37 year-old referred by her GP after a smear test.

A private BUPA patient, aged 21, came forward to report Patwardhan for making her sign a claim form for a £195 non-existent pre-surgery consultation.

She was seen at The Holly, where the defendant's wife was the anaesthetist, and said she did not make a fuss because she was in the couple's hands.

When questioned by police Patwardhan mainly answered "no comment" to questions, but did deny making dishonest claims and conducting sexually-motivated examinations.

"Patwardhan is a highly manipulative individual, having used his position of trust and authority to prey on the victims under his medical care, believing that they would be too embarrassed to report such offences to police," said Detective Constable Mark Azariah after the verdicts last month.

"Thankfully he was mistaken and I commend the victims for their courage in speaking out despite the sensitivity surrounding their personal medical concerns.

"I hope that today's result and the fact he is no longer a practising doctor brings them some comfort and peace of mind in what has been a traumatic ordeal."

Perv Filmed Up Young Women's Skirts With Phone Hidden In Tennis Racquet

Secret Racquet: Hemming

A pervert, who taped mobile phones to the strings of two tennis racquets to film up young students skirts outside a busy tube station, has been warned he may be locked-up.

Filming via a small hole he cut in one of the racquet's cover's 27 year-old Jake Hemming targeted women entering and leaving Tooting Broadway Underground Station.

The first-time offender, of Queenswood Gardens, Wanstead, east London ironically appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court where he will return for sentencing on August 12.

He pleaded guilty to one count of outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner, namely filming up women's skirts with a mobile phone concealed in a tennis racquet in Tooting Broadway, Tooting on November 23, last year.

The court was shown a photograph of the racquet, which had a mobile phone taped to the strings and then disguised when the cover was placed over the top.

District Judge Barbara Barnes announced: "The allegation is that in some way the defendant had rigged a camera up on a tennis racquet and was taking photographs of individuals, using the tennis racquet at an angle up individuals skirts at the tube station.

"When his home address was searched another racquet was found similarly set-up to take photos." 

Prosecutor Mr. Claudius Taylor-Sonko told the court: "After being seen at the station he was seen filming another girl."

Hemming has been banned from the Tooting Broadway area until his sentencing, which the probation service asked for more time to prepare a report for because the offence was "sexually motivated."

Hemming's lawyer Mr. Niall Hearty said: "In short, he's found this a difficult period and cannot come up with a proper explanation as to why he committed the offence."

Tooting Broadway Station

The defendant reported his perversion to his GP, who referred him to a counsellor and Hemming has completed 12 one-hour sessions and booked six more.

"The counselling is in regard to this behaviour in this instance," added Mr. Hearty, adding the expert and the GP will complete reports for sentencing.

"It does seem unusual at this age he's come to the attention of the criminal justice system for this offence," said DJ Barnes. "He's admitted the offence and now has a conviction."

She told Hemming, who was dressed in a dark grey suit, light blue shirt and dark blue striped tie: "The court sentencing you will need to hear more information on your personal circumstances.

"This offence was some time ago and people will need to know what's happened since and the risk of this happening in the future.

"I've heard from your lawyer that you have already taken steps to help yourself and we will all have to see what happens.

"In the light of the seriousness of your behaviour I've got to impose a condition. You must not enter the Tooting Broadway area.

"These offences are all said to have been committed in these areas. I've seen the photos and it was a deliberate decision of you to be in Tooting to take photographs.

"I will ask for an all-option report. That means the court may decide the offence is so serious only a sentence of imprisonment can be justified.

"I'm of the view this passes at least into the community order threshold, if not custody."

Woman Accused Of Nicking Porsche She 'Bought' On Finance

A woman acused of nicking an expensive Porsche sports car she acquired on finance has appeared in court.

Tania Stultz, 29, of Albany Road, Chislehurst is accused of leaving the lender £30,000 out of pocket.

She appeared at Bromley Magistrates Court and was bailed to Croydon Crown Court for a preliminary hearing on August 17.

Stultz faces one charge of stealing the Porsche Cayenne, valued at £49,564.43, belonging to Money Barn Ltd. on October 7, 2014.

She signed a finance agreement for the black vehicle in January, 2014, paying a £14,000 deposit and made her £756.69 monthly repayments for the next ten months.

The direct debit was canceled and Money Barn Ltd. reported her to the police.

When questioned by officers Stultz denied theft.

The vehicle was recovered after being found by chance in Bexleyheath by a police officer.

Witness Intimidated By Two Letters

Letters: Michael McAllister

A letter-writer, who twice tried to nobble a witness in a prosecution, has received a suspended prison sentence.

Michael James McAllister, 48, of Lees Lane, Southoe, St. Neot's, Cambidgeshire was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of intimidating a witness between February 20 and March 6, last year.

McAllister originally appeared at Hendon Magistrates Court charged with one count of perverting the course of justice.

The prosecution claimed he sent two letters, which attempted to persuade the recipient not to co-operate with a prosecution.

The recipient was only identified as VIW.

McAllister was sentenced to four months imprisonment, suspended for two years.

He must also obey a night time curfew between 7pm and 7am for three months and was made subject to restraining order.

NOT GUILTY: Aswad Star Clears His Name After Ex's Assault Claim

100% Innocent: Brinsley Forde

The award-winning founder and former lead singer of UK reggae band Aswad has cleared his name after successfully appealing a conviction for assaulting his partner.

The woman had claimed musician Brinsley Forde smothered her with bedclothes and ripped off her t-shirt and knickers hours after she aborted another man's baby.

However, an appeal judge, sitting with two magistrates at Croydon Crown Court, quashed the conviction and found him not guilty.

Forde, an MBE, 62, who hit number one in the charts with 'Don't Turn Around' in 1988 allegedly flew into a rage at 3am when given the cold-shoulder by Jemma Payne as the couple lay in bed.

She described being shaken like a "rag doll" and says she continues to live in fear of her ex, who she described as a "danger" to their two year-old son.

Forde, of The Courtway, Watford was originally convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court of assaulting Miss Payne at her flat in Orford Court, Elmcourt Road, West Norwood on October 30, 2014.

He was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 300 hours community service work and was ordered to pay £200 compensation to Ms Payne, £350 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge. 

However, Forde claims there was no assault and Jemma made a false statement because he threatened to tell social services she wanted to buy cannabis from associates nicknamed the 'Frontline' in Brixton.

He was arrested on November 7 at a social services meeting, which was due to discuss, among other topics, their son's Child Protection Plan.

Forde told police: "My ex has made these allegations up because I was going to report her to social services about our son."

When cross-examined Miss Payne did not deny becoming pregnant with another man, adding: "I'm afraid of Brinsley and his behaviour.

"Social services are happy for me to come off child protection as long as I have nothing to do with Brinsley. He's a danger to my son."

Assault Claim: Jemma Payne

Forde told the court the row was about Jemma's affair and abortion. "The chances were that she was back with her ex-boyfriend. I found his underwear in the house.

"I once picked-up the phone when he thought it was Jemma and he asked: "Is the fool still there?'

"I would say she has anger issues that came up now and again and I am facing a charge that discredits me and I have not seen my son."

He told the court he was forced to grab Miss Payne's wrists to defend himself as she tried to punch and kick him.

Ms Payne told the original trial: ”Brinsley wanted to be close to have a cuddle. He put his arm around me and tried to bring me close, but I told him I did not want to be close to him, I wanted to be left alone.

"He got very angry and upset. He lost his temper and went into a blind rage and grabbed and shook me like a rag doll.

"He put either a pillow or duvet over my face in a blind rage and held it down. I couldn't breathe and I started to panic and kick out with my legs.

"I jumped off the bed, but he ran around and ripped-off my t-shirt with one sweep from under my arm, tearing it off and did the same with my pants from the front, ripped them off.

"I had chafe marks under my arm, a burn sensation that came up as a bruise the next day."

The court heard Forde, who is also a radio presenter and actor, confiscated several pairs of shoes he bought Jemma as he left the flat, but then turned and blocked the front door.

"I picked-up a shoe and threw it at him and as he moved back I shut the front door," she explained.

The attacked was reported to police a week later on November 6 and Jemma explained: "I did not report it at the time because of domestic violence in our relationship.

"I realised he was an unsafe person to have around my son and I was worried social services would take him away. That's why I didn't report it.”

Shoplifting Housewife Targeted Exclusive Stores Near Her £2M Home

Shy Shoplifter: Jutta Curatolo

A high-end shoplifter donned a fur coat to blend into her exclusive surroundings as she swiped valuable jewellery from stores near her £2m Sloane Street apartment.

Privately-educated housewife Jutta Curatolo, 52, of Grosvenor Court targeted Harvey Nichols, Liberty, Dolce & Gabbana and Basia Zarzycka.

The San Francisco native, who attended the city's Catholic St. Mary's College would specifically select gold and diamond jewellery for closer inspection, Hammersmith Magistrates Court heard.

The mother-of-two, who lives with her 49 year-old husband pleaded guilty to stealing a £2,450 pattern ring with blue stone from Dolce & Gabbana's Sloane Street store on November 17, last year.

She also admitted stealing a Marco Bicego silver and gold ring, worth £2,260 from Harvey Nichols and Co, Knightsbridge on November 28.

Curatolo further admitted stealing a 'Dusty Diamonds' 18ct gold bangle, with 23 grey diamonds, worth £4,200 from Liberty's in the West End on January 7, this year.

Curatolo also pleaded guilty to stealing a £500 pearl tiara and a pearl necklace with antique silver cross, worth £800 from Sloane Square's Basia Zarzycka.

The magistrates heard long-term alcoholic Curatolo is currently attending AA meetings daily and a private psychotherapist weekly and deferred sentence until December 15.

Prosecutor Miss Aislinn Rice told the court first-time offender Curatolo walked into Dole & Gabbana at 2.19pm and asked to see the ring.

"A staff member took it out and once their back was turned the defendant concealed it in her hand and dropped it into the pocket of her fur coat then tells staff she needs to pick-up her children."

She struck at Harvey Nichols - which has since banned her - at 4.16pm. "She placed a large soft toy on the counter and asked staff about a ring.

"She placed it on her right hand and while staff were away for thirty seconds she picked-up the stuffed toy with the ring still on her hand and left.

"Staff pressed the alarm, but the defendant had already left."

Curatolo - who has a background in design - denies the cuddly toy was a blocking tactic, insisting she innocently bought it earlier at a Winter Wonderland fair.

At 12.45pm she visited Liberty, near Oxford Circus and asked to see various items. "She attempted to conceal two pieces in her hand and was asked for them back, but staff had not noticed a third piece."

Curatolo learned police were onto her and gave herself up at Notting Hill Police Station, where she confessed to the fourth theft.

All the jewellery was returned, bar the Harvey Nichols ring, which the defendant then paid for.

"She said she suffers from alcoholism, depression, anxiety and is bipolar and suffers blackouts and commits offences while drunk," explained Miss Rice.

"She said she was embarrassed for what she had done and sometimes remembers and sometimes has no recollection.

"She said she did not know why she took them and did not always like the items.

"The crown say there is an element of planning and distraction techniques, like the cuddly toy and she waits for staff to be distracted and targets high-value items."

Her lawyer Miss Ranjeet Dulay told the court: "This is a drunken lady, who at the time committed offences that were compulsive on her part. She's been an alcoholic for years.

"there was not a significant degree of planning. In these moments she was very drunk.

"The defendant is genuinely remorseful  and this lady has sought to address the reasons why she is here today, she has a troubled history with a history of mental health issues."

Curatolo has a son aged twenty-one and a twelve year-old daughter and her relationship with them is strained by her problems, the court heard.

The lawyer also talked of a "failing Marriage" and "eating disorders" and near-fatal skin condition contributing to her client's situation.

She receives a disability allowance from the USA as a result of being prescribed incorrect medication and her husband takes care of all the bills.

"She has no intention of finding herself in trouble again and she has not been back to any of these places to commit offences."

Magistrate Mr. Attul Patel told Curatolo: "we've decided to give you a chance to complete your privately-funded programme.

'This is so we can review your conduct and there will be a new probation report based on what you have accomplished between now and then."

"Thank-you," replied Curatolo.

"The Cat Did It": Houseguest Cleared Of Sleepover Grope

Not Guilty: Phillip Green

An overnight guest has been cleared of stroking a young woman's thigh during a sleepover after claiming the house's pet cat was responsible.

Phillip Andrew Green, 56, of Cliff Avenue, Winterton, Scunthorpe always denied touching the woman, suggesting the cat must have brushed against her during the night.

He was found not guilty of one count of sexually assaulting on the woman, aged in her twenties, by touching, at a flat in Churchill House, Station Road, Hampton, south-west London on July 27, 2014.

The court heard Green was sharing a room with the complainant and her friend, all sleeping on separate air-mattresses, when he allegedly edged closer during the night and made skin-on-skin contact under her clothing.

“This was a human hand on my leg,” she told Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court from behind a curtain. “I can be absolutely certain that he touched my thigh, yes.

“Nobody has the right to put their hands on me if I don't agree with what's being done.”

She made a complaint to police four days after the alleged incident and told officers: “I was scared to do anything about it.

100% Innocent: Green

“I deliberately made obvious movements while in bed to make it obvious I was awake, but this did not stop him.

“I was too scared to do anything about it and felt there was nothing I could do except wrap myself up tightly in my sleeping bag and get as far away from Phillip as I could.

“I believe it must have been Phillip's hand. It was the heat and heaviness and width and size of a hand brushing against me under the sleeping bag.”

She claims that when she made it obvious she did not approve Green sat up and said: “Okay, alright. Sorry.”

She also told the jury she heard “skin on skin” noises during the night of Green playing with himself and continuing when the light of a mobile phone was shone on him.

When cross-examined she denied mistaking the touch to her thigh as the cat brushing against her or her friend touching her.

She also ruled out the “skin on skin” noise as cat grooming or the ruffling noise of Green's sleeping bag.

“I was quite scared of falling asleep,” she told the court. “I was quite wary around Phillip.


“I had never seen him before. I didn't know him from Adam.”

Carer Bought Clothes With Vulnerable Clients' Money

Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court

A teenage carer treated herself to clothes and other treats at the expense of the elderly women she was supposedly looking after.

Halima Mayoo Mohammed, 19, of Sherfield Gardens, Roehampton received a suspended sentence at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court.

She will also have to repay £470 within twelve months to the banks of the victims.

When she originally appeared at Wimbledon Magistrates Court Mohammed was already banned from working with vulnerable adults as a condition of bail.

After pleading guilty to offences involving three different victims she was sentenced to eight months custody, suspended for two years.

Mohammed will also be under the supervision of the Probation Service for two years and must compete fifteen sessions of a prescribed activity requirement.

She was charged with three counts of fraud by false representation in that on February 9 and February 10 she dishonestly made online purchases using her clients' bank details.

She was also charged with three counts of fraud by abuse of position on the same dates, namely abusing her position to make a gain.

Justice Catches Up With Paedo Over Two Decades Later

Isleworth Crown Court

A Bournemouth man is starting a five-year prison sentence for sexually abusing a young girl over two decades ago.

Victor James Reilly, 69, of Kitscroft Road was prosecuted for offences he committed in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

He first appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court last year, where he was bailed to Isleworth Crown Court for trial.

After he was charged Reilly was free as long as he was not alone in the company of any child under sixteen years-old and did not contact the victim in his case.

He was originally charged with two counts of indecent assault on a girl, aged under fourteen years-old, on dates between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1993.

Reilly was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court.

Ex-Lifeguard Sex Offender Strikes Again

A sex offender, who pounced on a drunken women just five days after receiving a deferred sentence, was jailed for three years and four months yesterday.

Jobless window fitter and former lifeguard Benjamin Mackay, 23, groped the sleeping 29 year-old between her legs, causing a tiny laceration.

Mackay, of Woodlands Close, Westhill, Inverness pleaded guilty to assault by penetration on April 18 at an address in Birling Road, Erith, south-east London.

Woolwich Crown Court heard he appeared before Inverness Sheriffs on April 13, where he admitted possessing indecent images of children, namely two videos and twelve photos.

Mackay is still subject to a three-year community payback order imposed on June 9, last year for asking two sisters, aged ten and thirteen years-old he met at Inverness Leisure Centre, to send him naked images of themselves.

Prosecutor Miss Julia Faure Walker told the court Mackay had travelled down to London to assist an elderly relative with some decorating, but decided to stay overnight at another house ten minutes away.

"Alcohol was consumed and the victim, who was staying at the house overnight, bought more alcohol and the defendant was also drinking.

"At around 11pm she fell asleep on the sofa and then remembers feeling someone's fingers in her vagina.

"It maybe lasted twenty seconds and she felt in danger."

Mackay offered her a cigarette then went outside for a smoke. "She recalls feeling quite disgusted.

"The defendant returned and started to stroke her legs as she lay on the sofa."

The next day the "emotionally fragile" victim reported Mackay to the police and when arrested he told officers: "No way, no way."

He has been in custody ever since.

The court heard the victim suffered a 0.5 millimetre laceration. "She is receiving counselling and says her trust in people has disappeared," added Miss Faure Walker.

In her victim impact statement she said of the period following the sexual assault. "Those days were the darkest days of my life.

"After the assault I tried to carry on as normal. I attempted to go to work, but couldn't get through the door and sat in my car, not knowing what to do.

"For a stage I went completely numb and considered quitting my job and packing up and running away and it took a long time before I felt any better."

Mackay's lawyer Mr. Sachin Rajput told the court: "He's pleaded guilty without wasting the court's time. This is an isolated, opportunistic incident.

"He's gone one step, maybe two steps too far. Her legs were on him and he did something he regrets."

Mackay has completed 140 hours of the 300 hours community service work he received for the offence involving the two young sisters.

On his internet dating profile the six foot-one defendant says he'd like to have children, despite currently needing permission to be in the company of underage youngsters.

Judge Nicholas Heathcote-Williams QC told Mackay: "This was committed five days after a sentence was deferred in Scotland to test if you were behaving well.

"You committed this offence by inserting your finger into her vagina. In doing so you caused her physical injury."

Mackay was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely and was placed on the barring list preventing him working with children and vulnerable adults.

"Creepy" Party Guest Denies Raping Tipsy Teen

Denial: Pheasant

A rapist asked a tipsy teenager he attacked at a party: "Do you hate me?" halfway through her ordeal, a court heard yesterday.

Ryan Pheasant, 31, of Hurley Farm, Mill Lane, Hurley, Maidenhead then left for a cigarette and returned to resume the attack on the 17 year-old, Isleworth Crown court was told.

He has pleaded not guilty to three counts of raping the teen at an address in Roundways, Ruislip in the early hours of September 1, 2013.

Pheasant says there was no sexual contact at all and police failed to find his DNA on the complainant.

Prosecutor Miss Fer Chinner said both parties were guests at a party at the house. "One of the people encouraging her to drink is the defendant and he keeps pouring her drinks, vodka.

"His attention is unnatural and others guests feel uncomfortable. One describes him as 'creepy' and too touchy-feely, hugging and kissing her.

"Wherever she was, he was there as this alcohol-fueled party continues."

Eventually the "tired and woozy" teenager goes upstairs and "crashes-out" on a bed.

"Pheasant is in no mood for the party to end, so he goes up," explained Miss Chinner. "She describes being woken up by the bedroom door opening.

"She hears the noise of a belt falling to the floor. It's Pheasant undoing his shorts and getting into bed.

"He starts kissing her and taking her bra and knickers off and then rapes her and when he's finished he says: 'Do you hate me?'

"She lies there crying, not knowing what to do and he goes for a cigarette and comes back to the room and rapes her again."

A police doctor finds evidence of sexual intercourse and an unidentified semen stain is on her blue velvet party dress.

Ten days after the alleged rape she made a video-recorded statement to police and hardly leaves her bedroom for the next six months.

Family and friends describe her as "emotionless, scared and pale" after the party.

When questioned by police Pheasant insisted her account was fictitious, but did admit entering the room to help her to bed and then returning with her music system.

Trial continues…………. 

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."