British architect Simone de Gale has been convicted in her absence of four offences arising from a drunken confrontation with Virgin Atlantic cabin crew aboard a flight from Dubai to London Heathrow. Ealing Magistrates’ Court issued an arrest warrant after the 44-year-old failed to attend proceedings on 15 October.
The convictions cover assault by beating, being drunk aboard an aircraft, threatening or abusive behaviour towards aircraft crew, and threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. The incident took place on 5 February, when cabin crew member Sarah Buckland asked de Gale not to pass through a narrow aisle near passengers, including a family with a sleeping nine-month-old baby.
Prosecutors said de Gale became abusive, accused crew of racism, jabbed Buckland in the chest or near the collarbone, grabbed her cardigan and demanded to see the captain. The precise location of the alleged physical contact varied in reports, so it has not been described more specifically here.
De Gale was arrested after the aircraft reached Heathrow, but did not attend the later hearing. No sentence or fine has been reported. The outstanding warrant leaves the criminal proceedings active. De Gale is the founder of Simone de Gale Architects and had previously been photographed meeting the King and the Princess of Wales.