A traveller who threatened to “knock out” people on board an aircraft that had to land in Bermuda was fined heavily in Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

Lewis Densley, 27, admitted threatening to injure and being aggressive towards a crew member, as well as acting in a way “likely to endanger other persons”, on board the TUI Airlines flight when he appeared in court.

The court heard that Densley boarded the Jamaica-bound flight in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday.

However, he became aggressive during the journey when a crew member tried to assist him, saying he want to “hit someone” and “smack the guy who annoyed” him.

Densley, from Birmingham, then repeatedly punched and headbutted the seats in front of him.

The court heard he also became more aggressive after the crew refused to serve him alcohol.

Densley’s behaviour forced the flight to divert to LF Wade International Airport, where he was arrested.

Prosecutor Matthew Frick suggested that Densley be fined a total of $3,000 — $1,000 for each offence.

Tanisha Butler, Densley’s lawyer, said her client suffered from anxiety and a fear of heights.

She told the court that it was Densley’s first time flying and that he did not remember some of what happened during and after the flight.

Magistrate Maria Sofianos said Densley should have taken “preventative measures” for his fear of heights before boarding the aircraft.

She fined him $3,000 and ordered him to pay it before he left Bermuda.

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