Passenger who missed his flight pushed his suitcase into staff member at boarding gate
A passenger, angry at missing a flight from Belfast International Airport to Manchester, assaulted a staff member at the boarding gate by pushing a roller suitcase into her leg.
Ian Taylor (53), of Tattygare Heights, Lisbellaw, pleaded guilty to assault. He was sentenced at Antrim Magistrates' Court, sitting in Ballymena on Tuesday.
A prosecutor said that at 8.30pm on June 26 last year a member of staff was assaulted at a departure gate.
CCTV showed the defendant pushing a roller suitcase into the woman's leg and it left a "red mark".
The prosecutor said the defendant had arrived late to the gate and as a result missed his flight to Manchester.
When interviewed the defendant expressed remorse and said he was "irate and under stress".
A defence lawyer said it had been a "horrible" matter and the defendant had allowed his frustration to override judgment.
The court was told the defendant was ashamed that a staff member simply carrying out their duties was subjected to such conduct. The lawyer said the defendant understood the court would need to mark its disapproval at assaults on public-facing staff. He said the defendant is in poor health.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said the defendant had acted in a very poor manner.
He said the staff member was "simply doing their job and you lost your temper clearly and acted wholly inappropriately".
He said the defendant was unable to do community service because of his health difficulties and probation said their intervention was not needed.
In light of the expression of remorse, guilty plea and limited record, he said he would hand down a fine which he said was "not to in any way dilute the serious nature of the case but in all the circumstances I consider it, on this occasion, to be the most appropriate sentence". He fined the defendant £100 and ordered him to pay £200 compensation to the staff member.