A BA passenger assaulted 5 flight attendants after ingesting and taking sleeping tablets, a court docket has heard.
William Clegg, 31, is accused of assaulting 5 members of employees aboard the long-haul BA flight from San Jose within the US to Heathrow on August 25, 2019.
He appeared at Isleworth Crown Courtroom on Monday carrying a navy swimsuit, blue shirt and glasses.
Paul Edwards, prosecuting, informed the jury that Mr Clegg suffered from epilepsy and insomnia.
Whereas within the US, Mr Clegg had visited a physician who prescribed him Ambien, a sleeping pill, to assist along with his insomnia.
Mr Edwards informed the court docket that Mr Clegg was solely imagined to take one pill earlier than the flight, however took two as a substitute.
As soon as onboard the flight Mr Clegg drank three glasses of wine and two miniature bottles of Baileys.
William Clegg arrives at Isleworth Crown Courtroom, west London, the place he’s accused of assaulting 5 cabin crew members on a British Airways flight from Houston, Texas to London
William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting 5 flight attendants, smoking on the plane, climbing over sleeping travellers, and attempting to tear a cushion from a seat whereas flying from Texas to London Heathrow. He has pleaded not responsible to all costs towards him
‘This led to him appearing bizarrely’, the prosecutor stated.
‘He was strolling up and down the flight in enterprise class whereas shouting.
‘He went to the galley and began throwing chocolate bars.
‘He stated he needed to go outdoors to see his buddies.
‘He was informed you’ll be able to’t, you might be 38,000ft within the air.’
When he was confronted by flight attendant Amy Stewart, Mr Clegg responded by lifting his T-shirt up and attempting to place it over her head.
Right now’s case is being held at Isleworth Crown Courtroom after it was handed up from magistrates
‘He additionally used a vape within the flight’, Mr Edwards stated.
In response, the cabin crew determined to take Clegg to the again of the aircraft and restrain him.
Nevertheless, when flight attendant Jamie Marsh tried to restrain Mr Clegg, the passenger grabbed his arm and threw him to the ground.
Mr Clegg was then taken to the again of the aircraft.
‘It was after he was behind the aircraft that he tried to headbutt Amy Stewart 3 times,’ the prosecutor stated.
One other two flight attendants, Cieran Robert Smith and Franz Hartmann, had been assaulted whereas restraining Mr Clegg behind the aircraft, Mr Edwards stated.
He stated that Mr Clegg hit Cieran Robert Smith within the temple and kicked Franz Hartmann.
The court docket heard {that a} fifth flight attendant, Carlie Titchner – concerned in restraining Mr Clegg – didn’t bear in mind being assaulted by him, however after the incident discovered that she had bruises on her arm.
Mr Edwards stated: ‘The primary subject for the Crown is, was the defendant reckless when he took the tablets?’
Clegg, of Notting Hill, west London, denies 5 counts of assault by beating.