A Melbourne man who attempted to place an AFP officer in a headlock and take his Taser during an incident on an aircraft has been fined $1,500 and placed on a 12-month Commonwealth Conditional Release Order with an associated $2,000 bond today (20 July, 2023) for offences of disorderly conduct and obstructing a Commonwealth public official.
The man, 30, pleaded guilty in the Perth Magistrates Court today to two offences associated with the incident at Perth Airport on 18 March, 2023.
The AFP responded to an airline's call for assistance after a passenger on a domestic flight acted in a disorderly manner and refused to comply with the directions of airline staff before take-off.
The man then refused to follow requests from AFP officers to disembark the plane.
Police were required to deploy a Taser to restrain the man and remove him from the aircraft. An AFP officer sustained minor injuries during the incident.
AFP Superintendent Peter Hatch said the AFP would not tolerate disorderly or violent behaviour on aircraft, and travellers needed to follow the directions of police and airline staff at Australia's airports.
"Our officers and airline workers are there to ensure everyone has a safe journey, it's important for the public to treat everyone at the airport with respect," he said.
"The AFP will continue to have zero tolerance for anyone choosing to behave poorly on aircraft, or in and around Australia's airports".
"This kind of behaviour is unacceptable from any passenger, if the man had simply complied with the directions of airline staff and the police, the incident could have been avoided."
The man, 30, pleaded guilty in Perth Magistrates Court to:
- Offensive or disorderly behaviour on an aircraft, contrary to regulation 91.525(4) of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998 (Cth); and
- Obstruction of a Commonwealth public official, contrary to section 149.1(1) of the Criminal Code 1995 (Cth).
He was fined $1500 and ordered to pay $264.30 in costs on the disorderly conduct charge. He was ordered to remain in custody in Perth until the fine is paid.
With regards to the Obstruction charge the man was sentenced to a 12-month Commonwealth Conditional Release Order with an associated $2000 Bond.
If you require a police presence at an airport, or wish to report an incident or provide information, please call the AFP's Airport Watch on 131 AFP (131 237).
