Man, 35, arrested after sexually assaulting woman on flight and asking her to have sex with him in toilet
This article contains information about sexual assault that could be traumatic for some readers. Discretion is advised.
PALMA, SPAIN: A British man was arrested after touching up a female stranger who sat next to him on a Ryanair flight from Liverpool to Majorca. Cabin crew alerted the police after the passenger complained about his inappropriate comments and behavior.
According to the Sun, the woman, who is also British, told staff he had touched her breasts and asked her to have sex with him in the toilet. The 35-year-old man was arrested after the plane touched down at Palma Airport on Sunday, September 25.
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The man was reportedly fined £2,500 after being produced before the court on Monday, September 26 for a speedy trial. The victim was harassed moments before the plane landed.
Island newspaper Ultima Hora reported, "The man began to touch her shoulder and suddenly, after she moved his hand away, he touched one of her breasts above her clothes. The woman said this gesture lasted for a few seconds and shocked her."
The newspaper added, "She asked the air crew for help and they advised the Civil Guard. The man was arrested as soon as he set foot in Palma Airport."
A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed the arrest and said, "I can confirm we arrested a British man aged 35 late on Sunday night on suspicion of a crime of sexual abuse. He was held as he got off the plane on arrival and taken to court after a night in a police cell." The Civil Guard added, "His female accuser made a formal statement after officers took him away."
Sources told the Sun that the man's behavior began "minutes into the flight" when he started making comments about the woman's breasts. The 35-year-old "even suggested they go to the toilets together" while the flight was mid-air.
The source said, "She said he made a number of sexist comments during the flight and shortly before the plane landed, touched her shoulder and then one of her breasts. She asked members of the air crew for help who alerted the Civil Guard through airport control."
The source also added, "Officers were waiting by the plane when it landed and the woman went up to them and explained briefly what had happened before accompanying police to make a full formal statement. The man was arrested at the scene."
In another recent incident of sexual assault on a plane, a woman traveling on a United Airlines flight woke up to find that the passenger seated next to her was fondling her breast.
Federal officials say that the woman fell asleep during the journey from Las Vegas to Washington. When she awoke, she found Ivan Lopez Jr, 26, "rubbing her right breast". She instantly yelled, "Get away from me.”
The man was moved from 12th row to the 21st to get him as far away as possible from the female passenger and was subsequently arrested.