Lee McVicker, 23, caused chaos on an easyJet flight to Manchester from Belfast on Sunday as he travelled to play at a pre-Christmas wedding
An Irish pianist who downed Guinness, smoked on board an easyJet flight and told police he was ‘f**king sorry’ for swearing has been fined £200 for his behaviour.
Lee McVicker, 23, caused chaos on an easyJet flight to Manchester from Belfast on Sunday as he travelled to play at a pre-Christmas wedding.
Before his journey he had posted an excited message on Facebook from Belfast Airport before take off saying: ‘I want to thank you for having me all the way from Northern Ireland. What a pleasure! A big congratulations and blessings for the future!.’
But the former Irish Guard got drunk and became abusive to staff after he was suspected of smoking on board.
McVicker – who is thought to have been drinking Guinness – was said to be ‘extremely drunk’ and ‘consistently swearing.’
He told police: ‘I’m f****** sorry, you know what, f*** it, f*** off, I’m an honours student you f***’.
Police identified McVicker, who was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet, from his passport.
He was held overnight in cells before being freed – 24 hours before the wedding was due to take place in York.
Yesterday at Manchester Magistrates Court, McVicker, from Bushmills, County Antrim, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was fined £200.
Miss Risha Seth prosecuting said: ‘It was 5.10pm on December 17 2017. Officers on patrol at Manchester Airport were called to attend at Terminal 1 to reports of a male on an EasyJet flight from Belfast.
Yesterday at Manchester Magistrates Court (pictured), McVicker, from Bushmills, County Antrim, admitted being drunk and disorderly and was fined £200
Before his journey he had posted an excited message on Facebook from Belfast Airport before takeoff saying: ‘I want to thank you for having me all the way from Northern Ireland’
‘A member of cabin crew reported that he was drunk and disorderly on board. Alcohol could be smelt on his breath.
‘There were reports that a male had been suspected of smoking on board and being argumentative with the crew.
‘Police arrived and the drunken male was found and spoken to. He was identified by way of his passport.
‘It became apparent McVicker’s was extremely intoxicated, he was slurring his words and unsteady on his feet. He was consistently swearing which he was advised not to do.
‘He said “Well I’m f****** sorry, you know what f*** it, f*** off I’m an honours student you f***’.
‘Because of his behaviour within the terminal building and disruption he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.’
McVicker made no comment as left court.
Magistrate Andrew Jeffay, told him: ‘This incident was in an airport and on an airplane. You were abusive to the police who, to be fair, have got better things to be doing keeping other people safe rather than dealing with this misbehaviour.
‘We have a range of things we can do. We do feel this incident is unacceptable to a lot of people. The fine will be for £200 – and that represents an expensive drink.’
McVicker, who is an accomplished pianist, made no comment as left court after a magistrate fined him £200 and said: ‘That represents an expensive drink’
McVicker will also pay £85 prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
The musician who has played the piano since he was five has held positions of musical director in churches in the Bushmills area.
Last week he told how he had received acclaim fro well wishers both in the UK and abroad after he posted a tune he wrote in memory of his late mother Denise who died aged 42 in 2014.
In an interview with his local newspaper McVicker said: ‘Music is an unitary language that everyone can understand.’It takes me to my happy place and I’m glad it has done that for others. I’m so thankful for the support I have received, it has helped me with my grief.’