MADEIRA- A businessman who sexually assaulted multiple cabin crew members aboard a Jet2 (LS) holiday flight has been sentenced to prison following an incident over the Porto Santo diversion that disrupted a family-packed service to Spain. The offences occurred on a morning flight from Edinburgh Airport (EDI) to Tenerife South Airport (TFS).
The flight departed Edinburgh Airport (EDI) at around 8:30 a.m. with approximately 110 passengers, many of them families with children. After repeated incidents involving intoxicated behaviour, the captain diverted the aircraft to Porto Santo (PXO), where Portuguese police boarded the plane and arrested the offender.
Jet2 Passenger Arrested for Assaulting Crew
Joseph McCabe, 40, from Tollcross, Glasgow, was admitted to four sexual offences against Jet2 cabin crew during proceedings at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The court heard that McCabe groped and slapped two stewards, attempted to hug another, and made sexually explicit remarks to a female flight attendant while intoxicated.
Sheriff Alison Stirling described the conduct as involving a high level of culpability and harm. She sentenced McCabe to 46 weeks in custody, placed him on the sex offenders register for ten years, and imposed indefinite non-harassment orders preventing contact with the victims.
Prosecutors detailed how the assaults unfolded roughly 90 minutes after departure.
Cabin crew had already noted McCabe’s repeated trips to the toilet and disruptive conduct before a female attendant felt him touch her from behind while she was serving another passenger.
Jet2 In-Flight Disruption
According to the court, McCabe made comments about the attendant’s tights and appearance, asked personal questions, and later slapped a male steward’s buttocks. He also attempted to restrain another crew member in a prolonged unwanted embrace despite verbal and written warnings.
After ripping up a written warning and throwing his bank card at airline staff, McCabe’s behaviour escalated further. Air traffic control instructed the captain to divert the aircraft, prioritising passenger and crew safety.
When the aircraft landed at Porto Santo (PXO), McCabe reportedly stood up and began dancing in the aisle before being detained by police. The flight later continued to Tenerife, arriving around two hours behind schedule.
Airline response
Jet2 imposed a £5,000 fine on McCabe following the incident, which he refused to pay. The airline subsequently issued a lifetime travel ban, reinforcing its zero-tolerance stance toward abuse of staff.
McCabe, a former Royal Logistic Corps private, now runs a construction firm and co-owns a party boat business.
His defence stated that excessive drinking followed a recent family bereavement, though the court rejected mitigation that diminished the seriousness of the offences.
The case underscores growing concerns across the aviation industry regarding passenger misconduct and the legal consequences of in-flight abuse.
Airlines have increasingly supported stronger penalties to protect frontline aviation workers.
Bottom Line
The jailing of Joseph McCabe highlights the serious legal and operational consequences of disruptive and abusive behaviour on commercial flights.
For airlines, the case reinforces strict enforcement measures, while for passengers it serves as a clear warning that misconduct in the air can lead to prison sentences, lifetime bans, and lasting criminal records.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
