Passenger who sparked mid-air chaos by allegedly assaulting an Air New Zealand flight attendant, breaks his silence
A passenger accused of assaulting a female cabin crew member on an Air New Zealand flight claims he has ‘no memory’ of the alleged incident.
Australian Federal Police officers escorted 23-year-old Swalyn Barton-Cookes from flight NZ176 from Perth to Auckland on Wednesday.
Police allege he became drunk and disruptive during the trip before refusing to follow instructions and assaulting a flight attendant, causing ‘minor injuries’.
The flight was diverted for three hours so that an AFP officer could board the plane to remove the New Zealander.
Barton-Cookes was charged with assaulting a crew member and appeared at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Thursday where he was granted bail.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.
Outside court, the Perth resident said 7News he ‘can’t remember’ what happened but insisted he has learned his lesson.
‘Life changes. Wake up. Be a better person,” he said.
A New Zealander accused of assaulting a crew member on a flight from Perth to Aukland, Swalyn Barton-Cookes (pictured), said he ‘cannot remember’ the alleged crime
Police allege the 23-year-old was drunk and disruptive before attacking a crew member. He was held at the back of the plane (pictured) before it was diverted to Melbourne
Passengers waited on the tarmac for 90 minutes before departing for the unplanned second leg of their journey.
AFP Detective Inspector Stephen Cook said the agency takes incidents of anti-social behavior during a flight seriously.
“Any violence or anti-social behavior in a confined space in the air would be distressing to other passengers and crew,” Det Supt Cook said.
“In this alleged incident, it has disrupted everyone’s travel plans, to say the least.
‘Antisocial behavior during a flight can pose a direct threat to the safety of the aircraft, which is taken seriously by airlines and the AFP.’
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said while the crew had handled the incident well, it would have been confronting for passengers.
“Incidents like this are distressing for our customers and our people and we will not tolerate this type of behavior on our aircraft,” spokesman David Morgan said.
Barton-Cookes will appear in court again on Monday.