News

An air passenger whose drunken antics caused the diversion of an American Airlines flight has submitted a plea of guilty to behaving recklessly and interfering with the work of flight attendants.

Russell Petrie, a 30-year-old estate agent from Victoria, Canada, agreed a plea bargain that is likely to result in a fine of up to $10,000 (£5,130) and possibly some time in jail.

He may also have to reimburse American Airlines $7,757 for the cost of the diversion that he caused, Canada.com reports.

Mr Petrie boarded the Seattle-Miami flight on 4 January and reportedly proclaimed: 'Let's party and have some drinks!'

While the plane was in the air he managed to order five vodkas and two glasses of wine before being refused any more drinks and also banged loudly on the walls of the plane's lavatory.

The pilot decided to land in Denver because he feared for the safety of the flight and the passengers.

After landing, Mr Petrie reportedly said that he could not recall what had happened on the flight and admitted that he drank too much.

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