British Man Charged With Disrupting Flight

BOSTON, July 9, 2015—A British man was arraigned today after his alleged violent behavior forced an international flight to land in Boston, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

DARREN HALLIWELL (D.O.B. 2/28/69) was arraigned in East Boston Municipal Court on charges of disrupting the operation of an aircraft, disorderly conduct, and assault and battery.  Assistant District Attorney Emily Hamrock requested bail of $10,000 and orders that Halliwell remain alcohol-free, stay away from the victim, and stay away from Logan Airport in the event he is released on bail; Judge John McDonald imposed $5,000 bail and the requested conditions of release.

Hamrock told the court that Halliwell was on board a British Airways flight from London to Houston when he allegedly became drunk and belligerent, yelling at a 14-year-old passenger who was traveling with her family.

Halliwell acted aggressively toward flight attendants who attempted to calm him, prosecutors said.  Flight attendants then awoke a woman travelling with Halliwell for her assistance in calming him; as the woman attempted to assist, Halliwell allegedly struck her in the face with the back of his hand.

He then urinated on the plane’s floor and seats, prosecutors said.

The flight was diverted to Logan International Airport, where Massachusetts State Police attempted to remove Halliwell from the plane.  As he was escorted off the plane by troopers, Halliwell stumbled repeatedly; his speech was incoherent and slurred when troopers attempted to speak with him.

Halliwell was represented by Aditi Goel. He is scheduled to return to court July 29.

 

 

 

–30–

 

All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.