A man who shocked passengers by exposing himself and urinating on empty seats on a Jetstar flight has been described as “despicable” by a magistrate.
Jason Rangi, 52, was on board a flight from the Gold Coast to Melbourne on December 18 when Flight attendants saw him vaping and told him to stop.
But instead he stood up, took off his pants, and urinated on the nearby seats.
Rangi pleaded guilty to seven charges at Southport Magistrates Court on Monday and was sentenced to one month in prison, suspended for six months, and fined $1,000.
A 52-year-old man has pleaded guilty to multiple offenses after exposing himself and urinating on empty seats on a Jetstar flight from the Gold Coast to Melbourne (file image)
Rangi’s defense lawyer, Joanna McNae, told the court that her client He struggled with alcohol abuse after becoming addicted to painkillers following a car accident.
The court heard he told police he had consumed several drinks, including two beers and shots of bourbon, before the flight.
McNae revealed that Rangi is currently homeless and unemployed, but is taking steps to rehabilitate himself and break the “vicious cycle” he finds himself in.
“She is someone who needs help and certainly accepts it,” Mrs. McNae told the court, according to the Gold Coast Newsletter.
Magistrate Pamela Dowse described Rangi’s actions as “horrible” and said she would have sent him to jail if the sentencing option was available.
“My God, Mr Rangi, your behavior is despicable – disgraceful in the extreme, disrespectful, inconsiderate and ugly,” said Mrs Dowse.
‘(It’s) disgusting, really disgusting. Why would everyone else have to put up with that?’
AFP Commander Superintendent at Gold Coast Airport Josh Kinghorn said he was “horrified by the disgraceful behaviour” shortly after Rangi’s arrest.
“The AFP has zero tolerance for bad behavior at airports and this case is an example of how one person’s abhorrent actions have a direct impact on those around them,” he said in a statement.
‘Smoking a vape and urinating on a seat is not only disgusting but also poses a serious risk to the safety and comfort of passengers.
“These despicable actions will never be tolerated and we will ensure that appropriate action is taken to hold the individual accountable for his egregious conduct.”