Haden Pentecost had been on a London-bound British Airways flight from San Francisco when he was found completely naked in the toilet – while also having been on drugs
A British Airways flight attendant has been spared a jail sentence after being found high in an aeroplane bathroom. He was also caught stark naked by his fellow colleagues in the bizarre exchange.
Haden Pentecost was given a six-month prison sentence at a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court, suspended for a year. The 41-year-old was also ordered to pay £150 in costs to the airline, as well as having to complete 80 hours unpaid work.
The court heard on Friday (September 19) that Haden had been charged with performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs whilst he was working on a service from San Francisco to London Heathrow. Before the flight took off, Haden admitted he was suffering from serious cramps in his stomach but claimed he was fit to work.
However, as the plane made its way across the Atlantic, cabin staff found him at the bottom of a set of stairs. The Mirror reported that his colleagues described his condition as “dishevelled, pale, sweaty and erratic”.
In order to help him regain some composure, Haden would go on to lock himself in the aeroplane bathroom, where he would spend some time. Just minutes later, however, he would be caught “completely naked and oblivious” to the fact he was so.
Prosecutor Natasha Lake explained that his colleagues were left stunned by the bizarre move, and tried to dress him back up, before taking him to the nearest free seat available after the incident. The captain was called and – after speaking with the dishevelled Pentecost – ordered a medic onboard.
During the medical examination, it was found that Haden – who no longer works for British Airways – had dilated pupils, and could not answer questions like what year it was or who the US president was. He also admitted he had drank 15 to 20 bottles of water during the flight.
As a result of his actions, Haden caused a “huge distraction” to both the rest of the cabin crew and the pilot himself, though none of the passengers aboard the plane were aware of his condition. Eventually, the plane was able to make a safe landing at Heathrow, where Haden was taken by paramedics to Hillingdon Hospital.
Blood tests would later show there were traces of methamphetamine and amphetamine in his system, and he was promptly fired from his job. The prosecutors said that the penalty for the offence was as high as two years in prison, but no sentencing guidelines were implemented due to the “quite unique” nature of the case.
Ms Lake added that Haden had failed his pre-flight safety checks, and his colleagues were then forced to carry on the flight, which lasted 10-and-a-half hours. Representing Haden, Jon Harrison said he had taken the drugs in San Francisco to “enhance a sexual experience”, something he had done before.
Sentencing Haden, presiding Judge Hannah Duncan said: “You don’t need me to tell you just how serious this offence was. Cabin crew perform an essential safety role; they are there for the comfort of passengers but if anything goes wrong it is up to you to make sure they are safe.
“It would have been frightening for any passengers to see you in that position. You really let yourself down.”
The Daily Star has contacted British Airways for comment.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
#Drugfuelled #flight #attendant #stripped #naked #midair #spared #jail
