Man in Ayr Sheriff Court after smoking on flight

Jan 1 2010 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A SMOKER was caught puffing on a cigarette in an aeroplane toilet.

But Gary McKerrell quickly flushed the fag down the loo when he was challenged by cabin crew.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week he admitted endangering an aircraft and the people aboard it.

Depute fiscal Maureen Mullan told Sheriff John Montgomery that McKerrell committed the offence on November 23 on a flight from Lanzarote to Prestwick Airport.

Miss Mullan said: "Shortly after take off, the accused was seen to roll a cigarette. A member of the cabin crew approached him and told him he shouldn't be smoking. He said he was rolling them for when he got off the aircraft."

But McKerrell, 48, was spotted going into the toilet cubicle soon after and a strong smell of smoke came from within it.

McKerrell pleaded guilty to recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person therein by smoking onboard.

McKerrell, of Kilmarnock, represented himself in court.

He told Sheriff Montgomery he was awaiting a hernia operation at the time of the offence hand had no painkillers left at the end of a week long holiday.

McKerrell claimed smoking was the only way he could relax.

Sheriff Montgomery fined McKerrell £200.