Liam O'Neil, 34, admitted using offensive words when he appeared in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Prosecutor Sgt. Cyril Plant told the court that on Saturday, O'Neil was at the Civil Air Terminal preparing to go back to Britain.

"At 8.10 p.m. British Airways attendants called the Airport Police to report that a drunken passenger was talking loudly and hitting his chest with his fist,'' Sgt. Plant said. "He smelled of alcohol and he continued to hit his chest and swear.'' Duty counsel Mr. Tim Marshall said O'Neil, who worked at the Tynes Bay Incinerator, was on his way back to Britain.

"Before leaving he had attended a send-off party and got carried away,'' Mr.

Marshall said.

The Wor. Cheryl-Ann Mapp told O'Neil: "You were due to travel on a long journey and the British Airways attendants did not know how you would have conducted yourself.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.'' Mrs. Mapp fined O'Neil $250.