MANCHESTER- A Manchester court has sentenced a 54-year-old man from Prestwich to six months in prison after he attempted to s*xually assault a female cabin crew member aboard an easyJet flight arriving at Manchester Airport (MAN). Manoj Wickramasekara was also convicted of entering an aircraft while drunk and common assault following an incident involving cabin crew during a journey from Tunisia.
The case involved unwanted advances toward a flight attendant during the onboard duty-free service, followed by an altercation later in the flight. The court heard that Wickramasekara was heavily intoxicated and had been drinking before and during the journey, with his behaviour escalating when crew members challenged him over a bottle of whi*key.
easyJet Cabin Crew Assault
Wickramasekara, 54, of River View Close in Prestwich, appeared before Manchester Crown Court to face charges of entering an aircraft while drunk, common assault and attempted s*xual assault on a female.
The court heard that he had been intoxicated during the flight from Tunisia, where he had consumed alcohol throughout the journey.
During the duty-free service, a female easyJet cabin crew member approached his seat while selling goods to passengers. Wickramasekara allegedly made an inappropriate comment about her breasts before reaching out to touch her, but the crew member moved away before he could make contact.
Recorder David Wood told the court that the flight attendant had been carrying out her duties and should not have had to deal with such behaviour.
The judge also noted that Wickramasekara appeared to find the incident amusing, despite the distress it caused the employee.
The court heard that the passenger had been seated between two women who had to be separated. The incident highlighted the challenges cabin crew can face when dealing with intoxicated passengers while continuing their onboard responsibilities.
Whiskey Dispute Escalates
The situation worsened later in the flight when cabin crew discovered a partially consumed bottle of whiskey in Wickramasekara’s possession.
As passengers are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onto an aircraft under the circumstances described in court, staff approached him and requested identification.
Wickramasekara responded by telling the crew members to leave him alone using offensive language. He then grabbed one employee by the wrist and shoved her away, leading to the common assault charge.
Police officers attended after the aircraft arrived at Manchester Airport. According to the account presented in court, officers observed that Wickramasekara had slurred speech and glazed eyes, consistent with his apparent intoxication.
The court was told that the incident involved both unwanted s*xual behaviour and physical aggression toward cabin crew. However, the available report did not identify the specific easyJet flight number or provide the date of the journey.
Court Orders Six Months to the 54-year-old
During sentencing, Recorder Wood stressed that the flight attendant had been performing her job and was entitled to do so without being subjected to unwanted touching or abusive conduct.
The judge also highlighted the importance of cabin crew being able to carry out their duties while maintaining passenger safety.
Defence representative Keith Jones said Wickramasekara had been struggling with anxiety and depression and had developed an alcohol problem.
The court heard that he received £720 in Universal Credit each month, most of which was reportedly spent on alcohol.
Jones also told the court that his client had lost his taxi licence following a drink-driving conviction. He conveyed Wickramasekara’s apology to the flight attendants for the distress he had caused, the Bury Times reported.
Recorder Wood sentenced Wickramasekara to six months’ imprisonment.
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