A 64-year-old married businessman created a distressing scene on a British Airways flight, where he attempted to kiss a flight attendant and issued threats to kill cabin crew members during a ten-hour journey with his wife. Philip Gould, under the influence of alcohol, behaved aggressively towards his wife and cabin crew after being denied further drinks on the flight from the Bahamas to London Heathrow on June 25 last year. Gould, who had just returned from a luxury holiday in Grand Cayman, made inappropriate comments to a male flight attendant and engaged in disruptive behavior, including swearing and shouting towards the cockpit.
Having pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault, endangering an aircraft, and being intoxicated on an aircraft, Gould now faces the possibility of a prison sentence, as emphasized by Judge Fiona Barrie. The prosecutor, Ashleigh Ettienne, described how Gould’s behavior escalated, leading to safety concerns among the cabin crew. Despite attempts to calm him down, Gould continued to threaten and assault those around him, even going as far as physically attacking a crew member and his own wife.
The situation further escalated when Gould made lewd remarks to a female air hostess and proceeded to make physical advances towards a male flight attendant, kissing him on the cheek and nibbling his ear. Gould’s behavior was deemed alarming by the prosecution, stating that he posed a serious safety risk during the flight. Despite eventually falling asleep, Gould was arrested upon landing at Heathrow Airport.
In his defense, Gould attributed his actions to a combination of alcohol consumption and underlying PTSD. His lawyer, Manny Arora, highlighted Gould’s remorse and emphasized that he was not intoxicated when boarding the aircraft. Gould, from Woking, Surrey, has admitted to multiple charges, including assault, endangering an aircraft, and being drunk on board. He has been granted unconditional bail until his sentencing date on February 11.