- Have YOU been on a flight disrupted by someone being deported? Email: Taryn.pedler@dailymail.co.uk
A handcuffed sex criminal spat on British families while being deported from the UK on a budget holiday flight to Turkey.
Holidaymakers travelling on a Wizz Air service from London to Istanbul last Wednesday watched in disbelief as the scenes unfolded at Gatwick Airport.
The man – understood to be a Turkish national being deported after serving a prison sentence in Britain – was hauled from a van and forced onto the aircraft by officials in high-vis jackets.
Dramatic footage captured the detainee struggling violently as he was dragged up the aeroplane stairs and into the rear of the Airbus cabin before take-off. Witnesses said he repeatedly shouted ‘No, no’ while officials attempted to restrain him.
Among those on board were newly-engaged couple Kevin Leeson and Dawn Thomas, both 50, from Bristol, who had been travelling to Istanbul for a romantic getaway.
Kevin told how passengers received no warning before the man was brought onto the plane, with many only realising what was happening when the van arrived beside the aircraft on the tarmac.
He told The Sun: ‘It was a horrendous experience and very traumatic’.
According to Kevin, the detainee continued screaming and resisting for around 90 minutes after the flight departed, before later demanding water and allegedly spitting back at the escort staff.
A man – understood to be a Turkish national being deported after serving a prison sentence in Britain – was hauled from a van and forced onto the aircraft by officials in high-vis jackets
Dramatic footage captured the detainee struggling violently as he was dragged up the aeroplane stairs and into the rear of the Airbus cabin before take-off
Passengers nearby were reportedly unable to move seats despite the disturbance, while some families with children remained on board throughout the ordeal.
Kevin claimed that some spit struck him in the face, while another glob landed above his fiancée’s seat.
He said paramedics provided wipes and reassured him that the detainee’s medical history had been checked.
Officials allegedly pinned high-vis jackets to the ceiling area near the back row in an effort to shield nearby passengers from further spitting during the flight.
Kevin added: ‘He was an absolute maniac and was lashing out and biting officials and spitting at them’.
The couple had reportedly paid around £500 for return flights to Turkey, where Kevin had also planned dental treatment during the trip.
He later said the captain apologised over the aircraft’s tannoy upon landing in Istanbul for the ‘upset caused by the detainee’.
The deportee was met by Turkish police after the aircraft touched down, according to passengers.
Kevin said: ‘It is disgusting and they should have other flights for people being deported’.
Foreign offenders can be removed from the UK after serving part of their sentence and are often deported on charter aircraft, although scheduled commercial flights are also used in some cases.
A spokesperson for Wizz Air said: ‘We are aware of an incident involving a passenger on flight W9 5729 from London Gatwick to Istanbul on Wednesday 13 May.
‘The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew is our highest priority. Our crew followed all relevant procedures throughout the flight, and any questions relating to escorted removals or law enforcement activity should be directed to the relevant authorities.’
A Home Office Spokesperson said: ‘Those with no right to be in the UK should return home and we will enforce their departure if necessary.’
‘Regular scheduled flights are used at times to ensure the best value for the taxpayer.’
