Kevin Chapman had been necking vodka as he and his family returned from holiday when he turned violentKevin Chapman pictured at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.(Image: ChronicleLive)

A drunk dad punched his partner in the face while his young daughter was present as they flew home from a family holiday. Kevin Chapman had been necking vodka onboard an overnight flight from Crete to Newcastle when he got into an argument with his girlfriend.

A court heard that the 36-year-old suddenly lashed out and struck the victim in the face in full view of an off-duty police officer, who was also a passenger on the TUI flight. Cabin crew then had to split the couple up and move the woman to a different seat for her own safety, prosecutors said.

Initially, there was talk of diverting the plane because of Chapman’s behaviour, however, it did eventually land at Newcastle International Airport as planned. Chapman, of Hylton Road, in Pennywell, Sunderland, was arrested upon arrival and pleaded guilty to being drunk on an aircraft and assault by beating when he appeared in the dock 24 hours later.

He appeared back at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court this week for sentence, where he narrowly avoided a stint behind bars. Giving him a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, District Judge Paul Currer said: “What is clear from the evidence I have heard is that your behaviour on that flight was completely appalling.

“You decided to start drinking and you were drinking heavily. You were drinking from a bottle of Duty Free vodka, provided to you by aircraft staff, and from a bottle you bought previously from Duty Free.

“You were drunk, loud and abusive and caused distress for other members of the flight. That would have been a very frightening experience for them.”

The court heard that Chapman and his family had been on an overnight flight from Crete to Newcastle on June 11 this year and he was spotted drinking heavily by an off-duty police officer at around 3am. Glenda Beck, prosecuting, said: “He showed signs of intoxication.

“The officer asked a member of cabin crew to intervene as the noise levels were high. The defendant was warned about his behaviour. The female [his partner] was sat next to the defendant and was trying stop him shouting and getting him to sit down.”

The court heard that Chapman then lashed out and punched the woman in the face before continuing to shout at her. The pair were split up, with the victim being moved to another seat, and they were warned that the flight could be diverted, however, a decision was eventually made to land the plane as planned.

Police were waiting at the airport as Chapman arrived and he was arrested. In interview, he admitted being drunk on the flight but denied assaulting his girlfriend. Rebecca Highton, defending, said Chapman suffered from significant mental health issues and doesn’t normally drink but decided to on the night in question because of a “fear of flying”.

Ms Highton said: “He’s got little recollection of the incident and he’s horrified with himself that he has struck his partner in some way. She isn’t supportive of the prosecution and is supportive of Mr Chapman and they remain in a relationship.”

As well as the suspended sentence, Chapman must also pay £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

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