A DRUNK and disruptive passenger who caused a flight to return to Bristol Airport, has been jailed.

Sheila Thompson, of Torquay, Devon, admitted common assault and being drunk on a Ryanair flight from Bristol Airport to Alicante on September 30.

She was sentenced to 12 months at a hearing in Bristol Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, February 7).

Shortly after take-off Thompson began behaving in a disruptive manner.

Her action caused the plane to return to Bristol Airport shortly after take-off.

When it landed, Thompson was arrested and subsequently charged.

Police airport commander Insp Barney Gardom said: “We will not tolerate this sort of abusive behaviour and work with the airport to take robust action against disruptive passengers.

“We will, where possible take action to put the offenders before the courts, ” he said.