London Gatwick Airport abusive vaping passenger jailed

Omar Edwards, 26, was the first passenger to board a flight from Jamaica to London Gatwick on November 12, 2022. 

As he walked on he was seen grabbing items from seats in an area of the aircraft he was not travelling in. 

He was challenged about this twice and then was spoken to by a cabin crew member after he was suspected of vaping in the toilet on board. 

Edwards, a labourer from Medway Road in Bow, had previously been warned about vaping on the outbound flight to Jamaica. 

When he was challenged on the return flight he demanded a drink and was told that if he sat down a drink would be taken to him. 

But instead he snatched a carton of juice and tried to walk away. 

During the incident he assaulted a cabin crew worker, Sussex Police said. 

He was found guilty of behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting and disorderly manner to cabin crew, contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2016, and assault. 

On March 27 at Crawley Magistrates’ Court he was sentenced to five months in prison. 

He was also ordered to pay compensation of £2,400 to the victims on board, a £500 fine, and £675 court costs. 

Omar Edwards (Image: Sussex Police)

Investigating officer Detective Constable Graham Gray from Gatwick CID said: “All abuse of cabin crew is unacceptable, it should not be seen as just a part of their job. 

“Edwards’ behaviour was so poor that despite being given numerous warnings, he continued to ignore cabin crew. 

“Indeed his behaviour was so poor that he was given an official written warning by the captain on board. 

“This case demonstrates that abuse of airline workers is not acceptable and we will pursue offenders to ensure they are prosecuted.”