An easyJet steward was escorted off of a plane by police for being drunk. The authorities boarded the flight not long before the plane was due to depart the Gatwick Airport to arrest Anthony Shlyshen, age 48, who they soon found out was nine times over the alcohol limit of aviation regulations (Air Navigation Order).

On Tuesday, Shlyshen pleaded guilty to being under the influence of alcohol while on duty at Crawley Magistrates Court. Richard Lynn, the prosecutor, said that police went to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport on December 14^th where an Airbus of easyJet was preparing for take off. The officers had responded to a call that the aircraft captain had made.

Shlyshen was given an immediate breathalyser test, which he failed, and was arrested. He was given a blood test later, which revealed that he had a 182 mcg alcohol level, which is nine times the permitted level of 20 mcg (twice the limit for driving) for the aviation industry.

Rod Hayler, the defense, said that Shlyshen didn’t drink on the day that he was arrested. He said that there was a high level of alcohol, because Shlyshen had drank the night before, not the day he was on duty. Shlyshen said to the court that he was facing homelessness due to the offense. He said that now he has lost his job and may lose his home.

After the court appearance, magistrates could only give Shlyshen a fine for his offense, but the bench committed him for sentencing from Lewes Crown Court, where the judge can imprison him. The sentencing will occur on a fixed date. Shlyshen has been released for now on unconditional bail.

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