Architect convicted of attacking Virgin Atlantic flight attendant

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 20:14 · Archive

A 44-year-old architect was convicted of assaulting a flight attendant and being drunk on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Dubai to London in February.

Simone de Gale, 44, was convicted in her absence of assaulting flight attendant Sarah Jane Buckland on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Dubai to Heathrow on 5 February. De Gale became aggressive after being asked politely not to walk through an aisle where a family with a nine-month-old baby were sleeping. She screamed 'I'm an architect and you're just a f***ing air hostess' and told crew members 'You need to learn your place.' She also called cabin crew racist.

De Gale jabbed Buckland near the collarbone and grabbed her cardigan. Flight crew said they attempted to defuse the situation. When the aircraft landed, officers noted her slurred speech, the strong smell of alcohol on her breath and that she stumbled when leaving the plane. De Gale was convicted of four charges: behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards crew, being drunk aboard an aircraft, assault by beating, and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. De Gale, of Notting Hill, failed to attend Ealing Magistrates' Court and was found guilty in her absence, with a warrant issued for her arrest.

How it is being reported

• Architect who met King and Kate convicted over drunken assault on cabin crew on Heathrow flightSimone de Gale, 44, was found guilty of assault by beating plus three other chargesEvening Standard · 15 Oct, 20:41
• Drunk ‘Architect of the Year’ attacks flight attendant who asked her be quiet for sleeping baby“I’m an architect and you’re just a f—king air hostess,” Simone de Gale fumed, according to prosecutors in court who described her as “really aggressive.”New York Post · 15 Oct, 19:59
• 'I'm an architect and you're just a dumb air hostess': Drunk female passenger who beat stewardess and called her racist on Virgin flight from Dubai is on the runSimone de Gale, 44, screamed 'I'm an architect and you're just a f***ing air hostess' when she was told not to disturb the infant on a Virgin Atlantic flight, Ealing Magistrates' Court heard.Daily Mail · 15 Oct, 15:06

In this story: Simone de Gale · Sarah Jane Buckland · Virgin Atlantic · Heathrow Airport · Dubai · Ealing Magistrates' Court · Notting Hill

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