Drunk father-of-three convicted for abusing an air stewardess and a police officer

A drunk man has been convicted for his shocking behaviour towards an air stewardess on a flight as well as a police officer.

According to the court, the air stewardess was brought to tears and continued crying as a result of Riaz’s conduct when police boarded the flight. This incident occurred during his flight from Marrakech in Morocco to Liverpool John Lennon Airport on July 15, 2019, as detailed in Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court on Tuesday.

In a separate incident that occurred 18 months later, Mohammad Riaz, 42, also used foul language and threatening conduct around families and children whilst being escorted out of a flight. This took place at the Manchester Airport, where he threatened a border officer by saying: “I will punch your f****** head in.”

The father-of-three has 19 prior convictions stemming from 30 offenses. He has now been sentenced to jail by a judge who strongly criticised his “highly abusive behaviour.”

Mark Pritchard, prosecuting the case, said: “The defendant was deemed to be intoxicated by a member of cabin crew who refused to serve him any more alcohol. In response the defendant became verbally abusive.”

The court heard he shouted “who f***** your mother you fat stewardess white b****” at her.

Pritchard continued, “Due to his behaviour, the captain requested police attendance at the airport.

“The complainant opened the door of the aircraft and was met by police. She was still crying due to his behaviour.

“The officers described the defendant as being unsteady on his feet, having glazed eyes, slurring his words and smelling of alcohol. Because of this he was arrested.”

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that his “extremely erratic” actions continued, leading to him being handcuffed. Even as he was being removed from the plane, he kept shouting abusive and racist remarks at the stewardess.

While he was being transported to custody in a vehicle, Riaz bit a police constable’s forearm, leaving teeth marks but not breaking the skin, as reported to the judge.

In a separate incident on January 2, 2021, Riaz was aboard a flight from Istanbul in Turkey to Manchester Airport.

Pritchard said: “On the flight the defendant had been singing and dancing, refusing to wear a face covering, punching people’s seats and shadow boxing in the aircraft aisles.

“There were around 120 passengers on the aircraft, most of whom were families with children.”

Upon landing, the aircraft was met by the police at the gate, and the court was informed that several families approached an officer to express their grievances about Riaz’s behavior. He was subsequently handcuffed and taken through Border Control.

At this point, he verbally abused the Border Force officer, using derogatory language and making offensive comments, including threats and explicit remarks. He directed hostile language at her, stating he would physically harm her, and used vile language while making inappropriate comments about “white women,” according to Pritchard, the prosecutor. Riaz’s behavior was so disruptive at the police station that he could not be properly processed and was promptly placed in a cell.

The court heard that Riaz, employed in a valeting business, had been convicted in his absence on May 7, 2021, at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court for being intoxicated on an aircraft and assaulting an emergency worker.

Subsequently, he pleaded guilty in September at Manchester Magistrates’ Court to three charges of using threatening, abusive, or insulting language or behavior with the intent to incite fear or provoke unlawful violence.

Judge Joanne Woodward sentenced Riaz to a total of 14 months in custody. He will serve half of this sentence behind bars, with the remaining period on license. She noted that his actions constituted “highly abusive behaviour” that had caused significant distress to the air stewardess and other individuals who were witnesses to the incidents.