A British Airways flight attendant who was found naked and on drugs in a plane toilet during a transatlantic journey has been spared prison.
Haden Pentecost was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for a year, after admitting to performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs.
The 41-year-old was due to work on a BA flight from San Francisco to Heathrow in May this year, Isleworth Crown Court heard.
Pentecost, of Basingstoke, Hampshire, told his colleagues before departure that he was suffering stomach cramps but that he was fit to fly.
After take-off, cabin manager co-workers found him at the bottom of the stairs, and described him as dishevelled, pale, sweaty and erratic.
Prosecutor Natasha Lake told the court that Pentecost locked himself in a bathroom and was “completely naked and oblivious” to the fact that he had no clothes on when he emerged.
After Pentecost was clothed and moved to a free seat, the captain was alerted and called for medical professionals on board.
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It was found he had dilated pupils, was unable to answer what year it was, and drank 15 to 20 bottles of water during the flight. No passengers were said to be aware of his condition.
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Upon landing, Pentecost was taken to Hillingdon Hospital. A blood test found he had taken methamphetamine and amphetamine, and he was later dismissed from his job.
Jon Harrison, defending, said Pentecost took drugs while in San Francisco to “enhance a sexual experience,” and added: “Had he not turned up for that flight he would not have been convicted of this offence.
“He won’t ever commit this offence again because of the loss of his job.”
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Sentencing, Judge Hannah Duncan told Pentecost: “You don’t need me to tell you just how serious this offence was. Cabin crew perform an essential safety role.”
She added that “it would have been frightening for any passengers to see you in that position”, and said: “You really let yourself down.
“You are extremely ashamed, you are mortified, you are teetotal and you will never take drugs again.”
The judge said there was a “great deal of mitigation” in his case, including his previous good character and immediate guilty plea, and that his behaviour had not been aggressive or confrontational.
Pentecost was also ordered to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within a year, and pay £150 in costs.
