Businessman Receives Prison Sentence for Drunken Mid-Air Assault
A 64-year-old married businessman has been jailed for 14 months following a shocking drunken incident aboard a British Airways flight from Nassau to London Heathrow. Philip Gould, of Woking, Surrey, launched a series of aggressive assaults against both his wife and cabin crew during the ten-hour journey on June 25 last year.
Alcohol-Fueled Aggression in the Air
Gould had consumed significant amounts of vodka and wine while returning home with his wife Jurkea from a luxury holiday in Grand Cayman. His behavior escalated dramatically when cabin crew refused to serve him more alcohol. He proceeded to verbally abuse staff, using extremely offensive language, and made inappropriate sexual remarks to a male flight attendant.
The situation deteriorated further when Gould lunged toward the cockpit door, shouting angrily at the captain and claiming he could fly the plane himself. He told crew members he performed "secret work for the government" and issued death threats against them.
Physical Assaults on Wife and Crew
The most disturbing moments occurred when Gould turned his aggression toward his wife, calling her vulgar names before slapping her in the face and grabbing her by the hair. When a female flight attendant attempted to intervene, he verbally abused her with misogynistic insults.
"He then stood up and put his arms around her and while doing so, he kissed a male flight attendant on the right cheek, followed by nibbling on his ear," prosecutor Ashleigh Ettienne told the court.
Courtroom Consequences
At Isleworth Crown Court, Judge Hannah Duncan delivered a stern rebuke to Gould as his wife watched from the public gallery. "Your conduct cannot be excused as playful banter," the judge declared. "Those who get drunk on aircraft must expect prison sentences."
The judge emphasized how terrifying the experience had been for other passengers, noting they were effectively "trapped in a tube in the sky and have nowhere to escape." She added that such incidents leave lasting psychological impacts on those who witness them.
Multiple Charges and Defense Claims
Gould pleaded guilty to multiple offenses including:
- Sexual assault on a male
- Acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft
- Being drunk in an aircraft
- Two counts of assault by beating
His defense lawyer, Manny Arora, claimed Gould suffers from PTSD and expressed remorse for his actions. Gould himself blamed the combination of wine and vodka for sending him "over the edge," while his wife attributed the behavior to a holiday disagreement with friends.
Aviation Security Implications
This case highlights ongoing concerns about passenger behavior on commercial flights. British Airways staff demonstrated professional restraint during the incident, positioning themselves between Gould and the flight deck door when they deemed his actions a serious safety threat.
The prosecutor noted that Gould's escalating behavior became "a serious safety issue" that required immediate intervention. His threats about being unrestrainable and attempts to access restricted areas of the aircraft created genuine security concerns at 30,000 feet.
Gould, who previously ran a business management consultancy called Blacklight Management with his wife, will now serve his sentence as a warning to others about the severe consequences of drunken misconduct aboard aircraft.
