Passenger Stole Life Jackets From Plane

A DRUNK airline passenger stole four life jackets from an plane.

Alexander Bolam, 23, was on an easyJet flight from Bristol to Newcastle International Airport on February 4.

After drinking 10 bottles of lager he took the jackets from under the seats when the plane came into land.

The life-threatening theft was only discovered when air hostesses checked under the seats before the next flight.

Bolam was traced by police and arrested at his home address on Holystone Crescent, High Heaton, Newcastle, the following day.

He pleaded guilty to theft at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates' Court. District Judge Stephen Earl said: "I'm deeply concerned as this offence is actually dangerous."

Emma Ferguson, defending, said jobless Bolam suffered mental health issues, adding : "He understands it was a very stupid and very reckless thing to do."

He was fined £180, with £50 costs and £20 victim surcharge. His suspended sentence, for harrassing a neighbour, was also extended by six months.

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