BA passenger, 30, 'was handcuffed on board after becoming aggressive while demanding alcohol only to break free and try to headbutt a cabin crew member'

  • William Clegg from London is charged with assaulting five flight attendants 
  • Other charges include being drunk and smoking on an aircraft 
  • Clegg entered not guilty pleas to all the charges before Uxbridge Magistrates'
  • UPDATE:  In January 2022 a jury found Mr Clegg not guilty of all charges

By Chantalle Edmunds For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

A BA passenger handcuffed after running amok on a transatlantic flight allegedly tried to headbutt cabin crew after managing to break free from his restraint, a court has heard.

William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting five flight attendants, smoking on the aircraft, climbing over sleeping travellers, and trying to tear a cushion from a seat while flying from Texas to London Heathrow. 

Earlier magistrates heard allegations that he had put a T-shirt over a female cabin crew member's head before pulling another member of staff to the ground.

At one point Clegg was restrained with handcuffs but managed to escape before continuing his 'bizarre' spree, the court heard.

William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting five flight attendants, smoking on the aircraft, climbing over sleeping travellers, and trying to tear a cushion from a seat while flying from Texas to London Heathrow. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him

William Clegg, 30, of Notting Hill, west London, is charged with assaulting five flight attendants, smoking on the aircraft, climbing over sleeping travellers, and trying to tear a cushion from a seat while flying from Texas to London Heathrow. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him

Clegg stood before Uxbridge Magistrates' Court wearing a blue suit and entered not guilty pleas to five charges of assault, being drunk on an aircraft and smoking on an aircraft.

He also pleaded not guilty to behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of aircraft crew. 

Monique Duncan, prosecuting, said: 'It's a lengthy incident on August 25 this year. Mr Clegg was a passenger travelling on the BA flight to London Heathrow.

'He was described as being extremely disruptive during the flight. He was served a glass of wine by one of the cabin crew, but continued to ask for more alcohol.

'He became increasingly aggressive. At one point he has lunged towards a member of staff and placed a t-shirt over her head. He is then seen to be walking around and climbing over sleeping passengers.

Ben Summers, defending Clegg, told Uxbridge Magistrates Court that his client was out of control due to a cocktail of sleeping medication. He said: 'The amount of alcohol was very limited, it was three glasses

Ben Summers, defending Clegg, told Uxbridge Magistrates Court that his client was out of control due to a cocktail of sleeping medication. He said: 'The amount of alcohol was very limited, it was three glasses

'He has grabbed one of the members of cabin crew by the forearm and pulled him to the floor which has caused the other crew members to retrain him and place him in handcuffs.

'He managed to free himself from the restraint and kicked out at the seat in front of him and tried to rip the cushion off one off the seats on the plane.

'At one point he attempted to head-butt one of the members of staff. His behaviour was extremely disruptive and aggressive while in drink.'

Ben Summers, defending Clegg, told the court his client was out of control due to a cocktail of sleeping medication.

He said: 'The amount of alcohol was very limited, it was three glasses.

'The issue here is of non-insane automatism. He was on a combination of medication for sleep deprivation.

'This had put him in a state described by witnesses as bizarre.'

Clegg, of Notting Hill, west London, was released on unconditional bail to next appear at Isleworth Crown Court in January.

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