A U.K. man who forced a WestJet flight to dump fuel and return to Calgary after he drank alcohol and caused a disturbance was ordered Tuesday to pay $21,261 to the airline.
That figure represents the total cost of the fuel that was used and disposed of as a result of the man鈥檚 actions on Jan. 4, federal prosecutor Lori Ibrus told CTV Calgary.
According to an agreed statement of facts, 44-year-old David Stephen Young left his seat to use the washroom just after takeoff on the London-bound flight.
After being told to sit down by a flight attendant, Young pushed past the flight attendants and another passenger who was attempting to 鈥渃alm him down.鈥�
After using the washroom, Young yelled at the passenger who had tried to stop him, prompting an altercation that left flight attendants and passengers 鈥渟haken.鈥�
The flight returned to Calgary, where Young was charged with causing a disturbance, criminal harassment, assaulting a police officer and other charges.
He spent seven days in custody. Young apologized for his 鈥渄isgusting鈥� behaviour, and pleaded guilty to the charges.
His attorney said he is a recovering alcoholic and that he has been attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings since the incident.
WestJet had sought $65,000 in restitution. The defence had argued that $5,000 to $8,000 would be fair.
With files from The Canadian Press
