Drunk man molests woman on flight, kicks 2 policemen

He had boarded the British Airways (BA) flight drunk.

While the plane was taxiing on the runway of Changi Airport Terminal 1 just after 8pm on March 3, Kobacker Marlon Shae started touching the female passenger next to him.

The 47-year-old woman pushed Shae away when he touched her right thigh and hand.

Despite this, he continued to put his arm around her and tried to kiss her. Outraged, the woman stood up and shouted at him to stop.

Yesterday, Shae, 35, an Australian, was sentenced a total of two months and three weeks in jail for his actions on that flight.

He had also kicked two police officers in the face when he was detained.

Before sentencing Shae, District Judge Shawn Ho said he had considered the fact that the accused has had no prior antecedents, both in Singapore and in Australia.

Nevertheless, Mr Ho said he could not "condone violence against police officers, outrage of modesty or unruly conduct."

FLIGHT TURNED BACK

The court heard that the flight to Sydney, Australia, was made to return to Changi Airport. At about 8.50pm, two police officers attached to the Airport Police Division went to Terminal 1 Departure Transit gate hold room C20 to arrest Shae.

The two cops, Sergeant Muhammad Zaki Ayob, 31, and Corporal Muhammad Imran Ramlan, 20, noticed that Shea's face was flushed.

It was later revealed that Shae's blood contained 224mg of ethanol per 100ml of blood. This is nearly triple the legal limit for driving.

When Sgt Zaki told Shae he was being arrested, Shae struggled with the officers. In the process, Sgt Zaki was kicked on his left jaw.

Later, when Shae was put into the back of a police vehicle at the basement carpark of Terminal 1, he kicked Cpl Imran in his face.

Cpl Imran had sat in the front seat of the vehicle and had turned to check on Shae when he was struck. Both police officers suffered bruises.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Allison Phua had recommended a total sentence of between three and four months' jail for Shae.

She cited his persistence on the plane despite the victim making it clear that she was shocked and outraged by his actions.

He had also repeatedly resisted arrest.

Ms Phua said: "His actions had disrupted the lives of all 297 people (on board). The plane had to turn back."

The flight was delayed by 1 hour 45 minutes.

She added that the authorities took a very serious view of these disruptions as such unruly conduct pose a threat to aviation security.

Defence lawyer Amarjit Singh Sidhu urged the judge to instead consider a fine to be imposed on his client.

The judge allowed Shae to settle his personal affairs before surrendering to the court today to serve his sentence.

This article was first published on April 30, 2015.
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