Drunk Man Who Caused Plane to Reroute Ordered to Pay for Fuel

A 44-year-old British man whose “absolutely disgusting” drunken behavior forced a WestJet flight to turn around and land back in Calgary, Alberta, has been ordered to pay more than $21,000 in wasted fuel costs.

CBC reports that David Stephen Young consumed six drinks while waiting to board his flight. Once he was on the plane, he became belligerent and harassed the flight crew and a fellow passenger. Young said he is an alcoholic, but had been sober for 18 months until his January 4 flight. He claims he was depressed because of a death in the family and a failed marriage.

“One has to feel some sympathy for the accused but as in all criminal legislation, it is trite to say that the voice of the victim must also be heard,” provincial court Judge Brian Stevenson said when he delivered the sentence. Among the victims, he noted, were all the other passengers aboard the plane who were rerouted because of the passenger.