A DRUNKEN offshore worker tried to grab air stewardesses before rolling around on the floor of a plane as it was about to land.

Adam Willis, 39, was travelling from Amsterdam to Durham Tees Valley Airport on May 6 when he became intoxicated in business class.

As a result of his behaviour, the pilot contacted police, who boarded the plane to arrest Willis once it landed.

Prosecuting, David Maddison said: "The flight left Amsterdam at 9am UK time and the air stewardess who spoke with Mr Willis said he was friendly and amicable.

"He indicated to her that he had had enough to drink but then asked for another glass of wine.

"She said he was still in good spirits and filled in a questionnaire, asking for her telephone number.

"He then went to the galley area where he tried to touch and grab hold of the air stewardesses.

"At this point they became fearful and said that he had to return to his seat or the plane could not land.

"Eventually he went back but managed to wriggle out of his seat belt and at this point was found to be rolling around on the floor of the plane.

"He was put back into his seat but became more aggressive."

In his statement to the police the pilot, who had a view of the cabin from the CCTV in the cockpit said that Willis' behaviour made him fear for the safety of the flight, the staff and the passengers.

When the police boarded the plane at Durham Tees Valley Airport he put up more a struggle and shouted "You should be after them Al Qaeda bastards. Not me."

Mitigating, Andrew Clinton said that Willis, of Dale Road, Barnard Castle, County Durham, had not drunk alcohol for 28 days due to working offshore and had not slept for 30 hours before the flight.

"He acted appallingly and out of character but I would hope that your sentencing powers are appropriate here especially considering his early guilty plea," he added.

Darlington magistates had no sentencing guidelines to refer to yesterday and were told by both advocates that this was a very unusual case.

Mr Maddison informed the bench that the three similar cases he had looked into had all resulted in custody.

The case against Willis was adjourned to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on July 5, while a pre-sentence report, with a starting point of custody, is carried out.

The bench did not rule out passing the case up to the Crown Court for sentencing.