Adam Snowball had no recollection of being asked to leave the TUI flight, which was waiting to take-off to Tenerife(Image: Copyright Unknown)

A passenger who had “white powder around his mouth” was kicked off a flight for being too drunk. Adam Snowball had no recollection of being ask to leave the early morning TUI flight from Newcastle International Airport to Tenerife.

A court heard that the 28-year-old had been drinking the night before the flight but had also had four or five pints in bars inside the terminal. By the time he boarded the aircraft, the crew were so concerned about his behaviour that they called the police.

Snowball, of Grange Road, in Hartlepool, County Durham, was escorted off the plane and later arrested. The dad-of-one appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week to plead guilty to being drunk in an aircraft.

Outlining the offence, which happened on December 14 last year, District Judge Paul Currer said: “You boarded the aircraft, there were concerns about your behaviour and cabin crew ordered police on the aircraft.

“Mr Snowball was initially sleepy and drowsy and had white powder around his mouth. He was clearly intoxicated. He was removed from the aircraft before it took off.”

The court heard that Snowball, who has passed convictions, disagreed that he was under the influence of any drugs but agreed he was drunk. He said his behaviour “shouldn’t have happened” and that he was embarrassed.

Giving Snowball, who is trained as a welder but is currently unemployed, a 12-month community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work, District Judge Currer said: “You behaved exceptionally foolishly when you went on a flight to Tenerife.

“You lost your holiday and things ended up disastrously for you. It was you uncharacteristically drinking alcohol – you drank before you went out and at the airport.

“You have no recollection of being asked to leave the aircraft. Your behaviour was frightening and nerve-wracking for other people onboard. It was extremely worrying and distressing for them.”

As well as the community order, Snowball must pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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