A NIGHTMARE flight passenger was arrested after abusing cabin crew on board an aircraft.

Colm Joseph Connolly was on board the Emirates flight to London Gatwick from Dubai.

The 28-year-old was drunk on board the plane, Horsham Magistrates' Court heard.

He admitted two charges, which were being drunk on board the aircraft, and interfering with the performance of a member of the aircraft crew and their duties.

The charges were in breach of Air Navigation Order 2016.

Magistrate Dr Jackie Taylor noted the incident happened in May 2019.

Connolly, of Claremont Drive, Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was fined £1,080.

He was also ordered to pay a £108 surcharge and £85 court costs during the hearing earlier this month.