Judge orders U.K. man who was unruly on flight to pay WestJet for fuel costs

CALGARY – A United Kingdom man who was removed from a WestJet flight after becoming disruptive has been ordered to reimburse the airline for the fuel used to bring him back to Calgary.

On Jan. 4, David Stephen Young was on a flight from Calgary to London when he was refused access to the aircraft washroom while the seatbelt light was activated.

He forced his way into the washroom and after returning to his seat became aggressive towards other passengers and the flight attendants.

The aircraft then returned to the Calgary International Airport where Young was arrested and charged with offences including causing a disturbance, criminal harassment and assaulting a peace officer.

Media reports say last week he pleaded guilty to Criminal Code and Aeronautics Act charges.

The aircraft had to dump fuel before it landed.

Young was ordered to pay $21,260.68 to cover fuel costs and sentenced to one day in prison for each of his offences.

His attorney says his client is a recovering alcoholic who had several drinks before boarding the aircraft. (CTV Calgary, The Canadian Press)