A British newlywed couple’s honeymoon went up in smoke when the groom was arrested after he refused to stop vaping on the plane and told the captain to “f–k off.”
Christopher Thomson, 43, and his new wife had boarded a flight to the Greek island of Santorini from Manchester when crew members spotted smoke coming from his seat on Sept. 16, The Manchester Evening News reported Tuesday.
Thomson ignored orders to stop and was deemed a “safety risk” when he continued puffing away and vulgarly cursed the captain when confronted, according to the report.
The Jet2 budget airline flight was canceled due to the delay and Thomson was arrested and led to a police van in handcuffs, while shouting to his wife to film the encounter and “get a lawyer.”
The Warrington, England man later blamed his bad behavior on booze and pleaded guilty to entering an aircraft when drunk, according to the article.
“The flight had already been delayed and so Thomson and his wife spent ‘some time’ consuming alcohol,” Thomson’s legal rep Alistair Reid reportedly said.
“They were in good spirits and he has instinctively reached for his vape,” Reid continued.
“That was poor judgement on his part, due to the alcohol. He is mortified by what he did and how he spoke to the captain. Also seeing his wife’s face and the disappointment and anguish he was causing her.”
Recorder Jennifer Cleeve said his behavior posed a “serious danger and health issues” to other people aboard the plane and led to large financial losses to the airline.
She sentenced him to a ten week jail sentence, which was suspended for a year, and ordered him to complete 180 hours of community service.
“I have no doubt you and your wife were upset after having ruined the honeymoon,” Cleeve said.
“You do appear to be remorseful and have said you do not intend to drink alcohol at an airport and nor vape on a plane again.”
“You do appear to be remorseful and have said you do not intend to drink alcohol at an airport and nor vape on a plane again.”