An aircraft passenger who caused terror at 33,000 feet after he was told to put out his cigarette is facing jail.

Stephen Robinson, 53, clambered over horrified holiday makers then lashed out at cabin crew during the flight from Antalya in Turkey to Newcastle.

As a result of his air rage, the packed Boeing 757 was diverted to Frankfurt in Germany where he was removed from the plane.

Steward Philip Miles needed £2,000 worth of dental treatment as a result and shocked holidaymakers endured hours of delay.

At Newcastle Crown Court yesterday Judge Esmond Faulks said Robinson should be banned from the skies for good and warned the judge who finally sentences him may make an order to prevent him flying again.

Robinson pleaded guilty to endangering the safety of an aircraft and assault.

Trouble flared after fellow passengers on the Thomas Cook flight objected when Robinson defied the 'no smoking' signs and lit up a cigarette.

Prosecutor Tim Parkin told the court : "His plea is on the basis he was endangering the passengers rather than the plane itself.

"This is not a case where he was trying to interfere with emergency doors or making an attack on the pilot.

"But it was clearly an utterly terrifying situation for all people on that plane.

"He admitts the assault on the basis of reckless behaviour, during the course of his restraint, when an unfortunate steward received injuries which required £2,000 worth of dental work to repair.

"His recollection is imperfect."

Robinson, of Hope Town Lane, Darlington, will be sentenced on September 28.

Judge Faulks said: "He is the sort of person, I think, who should never go on an aircraft again."

Judge Faulks said the sentencing tribunal may consider making an aircraft ban, similar to a football banning order.

Mr Parkin said aircraft companies could consider adding Robinson's name to a passenger "blacklist".

Robinson was granted bail until he is next before the court.