An easyJet passenger has been found guilty of attempting to sexually assault a child on a flight to Belfast.
Ramiz Idrizi, of Woodvale Avenue in Dublin, declared “I’m horny” during the flight before trying to touch the young girl – but has been released on bail.
He was convicted of attempting to sexually assault a girl who was under 13, as well as and one count of assault by beating a male passenger trying to stop him.
He also admitted to being drunk on an aircraft and using abusive language towards cabin crew.
Ballymena Magistrates’ Court heard how Idrizi was drunk during the flight from Paris to Belfast International.
He had downed most of the five small wine bottles he purchased throughout the journey.
The mother of the young girl told the court Idrizi was kicking her seat an hour before landing.
He then said he was “horny” and attempted to touch the young girl’s leg as he reached between the fuselage and seat.
The court heard how Ramiz Idrizi attempted to sexually assault a child on the flight
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GETTYThis caused the girl to jump up – and a man, sitting in the same row, offered to swap seats with the mother.
The man admonished Idrizi for his behaviour, and the defendant then said: “your mother’s a sl*t”, Belfast Live reported.
The court heard how he was heard “hacking up phlegm” just moments before the incident.
A woman sitting in the same row said the defendant had been spitting and talking to himself.
Idrizi was flying from Paris to Belfast International (pictured)
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WIKIMEDIA/ANDREW MCCARRON
Idrizi admitted he insulted the passenger’s mother, and he was intoxicated on the flight.
However, he denied attempting to touch the girl, and said he only touched her seat while he was getting up.
He also denied spitting or hacking up phlegm, the court heard.
As the cabin crew were made aware of the events unfolding, they announced over the PA that alcohol would no longer be served.
Idrizi refused to hand over the last of his wine and to move to his seat.
As a result, passengers around him were moved.
The court heard that as the plane was coming to land, Idrizi was seen “punching the wall of the fuselage”.
District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was satisfied the witnesses, including civilians and cabin crew, had delivered “credible and reliable evidence”.
The defendant was acquitted on one case of assaulting a woman.
After entering the guilty verdict for Idrizi’s other charges, he would wait to “get a report” out of fairness to the defendant.
The rest of the case will be dealt with on April 28 and Idrizi has been freed on bail.