A court has heard how a doctor became abusive with staff and was too drunk to stand at Birmingham Airport. Vijaykrishna Maddikera was unable to travel on a flight India to visit his ill father on December 29 because he had drunk too much. The doctor said it was because he was a 'nervous flyer'.
According to reports, Birmingham Magistrates' Court heard he was so inebriated he could not stand up in the body scanner and was also abusive to airport staff and was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months on Wednesday, February 19.
The court heard staff had considered arranging him a later flight so he could sober up but he became abusive towards them and was subsequently arrested.
Maddikera, 52, pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk in a restricted area at an airport.
Prosecuting him Preena Mistry, said: "Guards were on patrol and were directed to attend the central security area. They were informed a male had been refused entry due to being unable to stand up in the body scanner. Staff suspected he was drunk and when they spoke to him he smelled strongly of alcohol. He was struggling to speak and his speech was slurred, he was struggling to maintain eye contact. Outside of the security area he was struggling whilst walking through the airport. He was unsteady on his feet."
She added: "Staff tried to help him sort another flight to allow him time to sober up but the defendant was abusive to staff and was subsequently arrested."
Maddikera was initially set to be handed a caution from police but because it would not have shown up on airport records he was formally charged, the court heard.
Maddikera was also told to pay a £21 victim surcharge and £135 for court costs.
