Man was drunk and disorderly on plane court told

A defence solicitor told Antrim Magistrates Court that while 25-year-old Jay Woolsey was denying an offence of common assault against a man and failing to obey the lawful command of an aircraft commander, “I can indicate there will be guilty pleas” to the remaining offences.

Furniture builder Woolsey, from Brownstown Park in Portadown, pleaded guilty to using disorderly behaviour at Belfast International Airport, one count of common assault on a woman, being drunk on a plane and “behaving in a disorderly manner towards a member of the crew,” all of which occurred on 27 November last year.

Although no facts of the case were opened in court, it is understood the charges arise after cops were called on to the flight to Bristol before it took off.

At court today, Woolsey’s defence solicitor said she had agreed the evidence of a substantial number of witnesses but that some would still be required to attend the contest.

Releasing Woolsey on continuing bail and excusing him from attending on the next occasion, District Judge Alan White said he would fix a date for the trial on 23 February.