A DRUNKEN thug wreaked havoc on a British Airways flight after claiming he was a terrorist and running riot in the aisles.

John McMurray, 29, went berserk on the BA flight from Gatwick only hours after he appeared in court after running amok in the same airport.

McMurray drank beer and vodka, and swallowed tranquillisers before terrorising staff and 29 passengers on the hour-long flight to Newcastle.

McMurray, of Quay View, Wallsend, North Tyneside, was jailed for nine months yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court.

Tim Parkin, prosecuting, told the court: "These range of offences are becoming referred to as air-rage.

"Just five minutes into the flight, the defendant made his way to senior stewardess Caroline Clement and asked to stay in the galley because he was frightened of flying.

"His language deteriorated and he began to swear and abuse passengers and staff."

Trouble flared again when McMurray tried to hug a hostess, and became aggressive when his advances were rebuffed.

Mr Parkin told the court that staff were scared he would bite them or other passengers.

While other staff got his attention, Miss Clement managed to push McMurray into the toilet and they held it shut as he kicked violently until the plane landed.

After landing, passengers were ushered onto the runway as police rushed on board the plane.

McMurray was dragged by police to the airport terminal, where he was described as foaming at the mouth as he headbutted a wall.

In March, he was arrested at Gatwick airport for being drunk and disorderly.

The day before the air-rage incident he was conditionally discharged for 12 months by Crawley magistrates and ordered to pay £55 costs, after admitting being drunk and disorderly in the airport.

Hours later he boarded the flight to Newcastle.

Nick Cartmell, defending, said: "He is a young man who is terrified of flying. He had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol and tablets before boarding the flight to try to deal with the fear he genuinely had.