The drunk honeymooner whose aggressive behaviour caused a flight to be diverted to Bermuda is sorry and “ashamed”, his brother has revealed.

Mohammed Khelya, 22, from Blackburn in North West England, was arrested at LF Wade International Airport on Monday afternoon.

He had been travelling from Manchester to Cuba with his new wife when he became abusive towards fellow passengers and cabin crew, who discovered that he had been drinking a bottle of vodka.

The Thomas Cook flight was diverted to Bermuda and Khelya was arrested, pleading guilty in Magistrates’ Court the next day to getting drunk while on an aircraft over Bermudian territorial waters and to disruptive behaviour.

He was fined $3,000, which he paid after his parents sent the money, and has now flown back to Britain.

Khelya’s brother, Minhaz, told BBC Radio Lancashire yesterday that his parents were “gutted” but that the family supported him and the incident had been “blown out of proportion”.

He said: “He was told that if you don’t pay the fine, you’re going to have to serve four months in prison. At the time, he didn’t have the funds, so my parents sent the court the funds.

“It was a bit of a farce and was blown out of proportion because he was a bit drunk and started getting a bit rowdy.

“He felt like he was being constantly monitored when he was just trying to have a good time with his wife on the way to his honeymoon.”

Mr Khelya said his sister-in-law went on to Cuba but returned to the UK on the first available flight, and that she was supporting her husband.

“She was sad and was crying yesterday, probably because he was in jail somewhere abroad with limited contact and no guarantee he would be able to board a flight and make his way home,” he said.

“Obviously my family, my parents more than anyone, are disappointed, gutted, a bit ashamed because of issues he’s caused.”

Mr Khelya admitted his brother had “given a bad name to the family” and that his parents were “distraught”, especially given the amount already spent on his wedding.

“The amount of money he’d spent to go to Cuba, obviously that’s gone to waste,” he added. “He’s ashamed, he’s disappointed in himself ... he’s definitely regretting it now.”

Mr Khelya said his brother had apologised to his family and wife, including an apology in court, and that his relationship with his wife had not been affected.

“I wouldn’t say it’s been a big issue for them in terms of their relationship,” he said. “I understand he’s messed up, made a mistake, jeopardised their honeymoon. He’ll have to work hard to work his way to another honeymoon.”