A 23-year-old man who behaved in a "drunk, intimidating and patronising" manner throughout an EasyJet flight has escaped imprisonment due to recently introduced sentencing legislation.
Fintan Wyatt, from Barons Hey in Stockbridge Village, Merseyside, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, where he admitted being intoxicated on the flight from Sharm El-Sheikh to Liverpool.
Judge David Aubrey KC handed Wyatt a six-month prison term suspended for 18 months, telling him he was "compelled" to avoid sending him to custody.
The judge explained Section 277A of the Sentencing Act, which took effect on March 22 2026, required him to suspend sentences of 12 months or less unless exceptional circumstances existed - finding none in this instance.
The court heard Wyatt boarded the six-hour return flight on January 6 after the aircraft had already been delayed by four hours.
He reportedly smelled of alcohol and initially became agitated about being asked to change seats.
Prosecutor Derryn Gibney described how a female crew member was forced to retreat after Wyatt invaded her personal space.
He demanded to speak with the captain, claiming he "believed planes being overweight was a myth," before telling the attendant: "Babe, I'm not f***ing with that captain."
Fintan Wyatt was arrested after drunk disorder on an EasyJet flight from Sharm El-Sheikh to Liverpool
| GETTYWhile consuming duty-free alcohol, the court heard Wyatt made inappropriate remarks to staff, including asking one woman: "F*** me girl. Has your fella left you or something?"
He also sang crew members' names and allegedly shoved his father, telling him to "f*** off," prompting another passenger to request a seat change.
Police met the aircraft upon its arrival at Liverpool Airport at approximately 11pm, with Wyatt subsequently detained after attempting to resist officers.
Defence barrister Bernice Campbell told the court her client suffered from a serious bladder condition following an unsuccessful operation in December.
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She explained he had specifically booked a seat near the front of the plane to be close to the toilet before being moved away.
Ms Campbell added that the journey followed two days of previous flight cancellations, stating: "It is an explanation, not an excuse your honour. He became frustrated. With the problem with his bladder, it all got too much."
Judge Aubrey dismissed these justifications, remarking that "if he had a bladder problem, perhaps he should not have been drinking so much on plane."
The judge told Wyatt he was "fortunate" the new sentencing provisions came into force just weeks before he entered his guilty plea at the magistrates' court on April 10.
"That states that the court must make a suspended order for terms of 12 months custody or less, unless there are exceptional circumstances which relate to the offence or the offender," Judge Aubrey explained.
He noted typical sentences for such offences range between five and 15 months before any reduction for a guilty plea.
"I am unable to say that the need for deterrents amounts to such a circumstance. Thus, this court feels compelled, in accordance with the law, to impose such a sentence," the judge stated.
Wyatt was additionally ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, undertake up to 15 days of rehabilitation activity, and pay £150 in court costs.