A drunken woman passenger who spread "fear" and "terror" on board a packed holiday jet in the wake of September 11 has been jailed for four months.

Charlotte Davies, 31, Knocked back a bottle of rum before going beserk on the JMC flight to Tenerife.

She lashed out at her boyfriend before terrifying passengers and staff on the Boeing 757 on November 16 last year.

Aircrew managed to restrain her but were so concerned by her behaviour the pilot diverted the plane to Faro airport in Portugal at a cost of more than £2,500 to the airline.

The blond care worker was arrested when waiting police board the aircraft and her and her boyfriend missed their holiday.

But things worsened when the divorcee was charged with being drunk on an aircraft.

Davies, from Almond Drive, Sunderland, pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday and offered to pay back the cash.

But a judge refused to accept her apology and jailed her for four months.

The court heard how the flight took off from Newcastle Airport at 7.55am. By that time Davies had already been downing lager in the bar.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard how she also bought a bottle of duty free rum and Ribena to down in a bid to calm her nerves during the flight.

The court heard that her abusive behaviour started not long after take off and cabin staff moved her to a seat near the back of the plane.

But she continued to abuse those around her.

Prosecutor John Aitken told the court: "The flight took off on time. After take off it was quickly apparent to passengers, who had the misfortune to sit near her, that she was badly affected by drink.

"She was not served any on the aeroplane. But given the amount she had available to her it was not necessary.

"She began demanding that her boyfriend move out of the window seat and was making comments that she had paid for the flight so he should move.

"She was rude and agressive towards him and it was clear her boyfriend was trying to calm her down for the sake of peace for the other passengers.

"Eventually passengers complained to the air crew that this was not tolerable.

"It became clear to the defendant that one of the passengers had complained and she decided that it must have ben the man sitting in front of her and because of that she began kicking and pushing his chair. "Her behaviour generally deteriorated and she was spoken to by the crew members who were asking her to keep the noise down and stop swearing.

"Her behaviour did not improve. She was kicking the seat of the passenger in front quite violently.

"At that time, in the middle of November, it was still quite a sensitive time for air passengers after the events of September 11. Everyone, including the defendant was nervous about flying at that time."

Defence barrister Jamie Adams said Davies would pay the £2,582 diversion costs in a bid to stay out of jail.

But judge Michael Taylor said: "Your behaviour was loud mouthes and abusive.

You were kicking out at the seat in front of you and were agressive towards the stewardeses.

"That causes fear and terror now on aircraft. You know that. You must know that it has been talked about and the courts take a very dim view.

"There are many good things to be said about you. But this is a case where the factors of mitigation are lengthy but cannot prevent a prison sentence."

Mr Adams said Davies had not wanted to go on the holiday after the September 11 terrorist attacks and had been trying to calm her nerves by drinking the alcohol.

He said: "It was because of her fear she had in fact wanted to go on that holiday.

"The holiday was booked in June last year. Then of course, because of the appalling events of September 11, her fear was heightened that much more. So much so she did not want to go at all."