A passenger accused of assaulting a cabin crew member on an Air New Zealand flight has claimed he “does not remember” the alleged incident.
Australian Federal Police officers escorted Swalyn Barton-Cookes, 23, off flight NZ176 from Perth to Auckland on Wednesday.
Police allege he became drunk and disruptive during the journey before refusing to comply with instructions and assaulting a flight attendant, causing her a “minor injury”.
The flight was diverted three hours so that an AFP agent could board the plane to remove the New Zealand citizen.
Barton-Cookes was charged with one count of assault on a crew member and appeared at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on Thursday, where he was granted bail.
The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Outside court, Perth resident said 7news He “can’t remember” what happened, but insisted he learned his lesson.
‘Life is changing. Wake up. Be a better person,’ he said.
A New Zealand national accused of assaulting a crew member on a flight from Perth to Aukland, Swalyn Barton-Cookes (pictured), said he has “no memory” of the alleged offence.
Police allege the 23-year-old was drunk and rowdy before assaulting a crew member. He was restrained in the back of the plane (pictured) before it was diverted to Melbourne.
Passengers waited 90 minutes on the tarmac before embarking on the second unplanned leg of their journey.
AFP Detective Superintendent 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,” Detective Superintendent Cook said.
‘At the very least, this alleged incident disrupted everyone’s travel plans.
“Antisocial behavior during a flight can represent a direct threat to aircraft safety, which airlines and the AFP take seriously.”
An Air New Zealand spokesperson said while the crew handled the incident well, it would have been a confrontation for passengers.
“Incidents like this are concerning for our customers and our people and we have zero tolerance for this type of behavior on our aircraft,” said spokesman David Morgan.
Barton-Cookes will reappear in court on Monday.