North West businessman in US court after transatlantic flight fracas

A NORTH WEST businessman is facing a prison sentence after an alleged attack on his wife during a trans-Atlantic flight which caused the plane to make an emergency landing.

The British Airways flight from London to Houston was diverted to Boston’s Logan International Airport on Wednesday after Darren Halliwell, listed as a director at Wigan-based business consultancy Minimiser, allegedly hit Sharon Halliwell.

Passengers on the flight said the 48-year-old, of Aspull, Great Manchester, had been drinking when he allegedly became violent and started yelling.

He is also alleged to have exposed himself on the flight.

A judge at East Boston District Court arraigned Halliwell, where he was charged with interfering with the operations of a flight but additional charges could be added, prosecutors said.

Bail was set at $5,000 (£3,250) cash and he was ordered to reappear on July 29.

The maximum sentence for interfering with a flight crew in America is 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.