A British Airways passenger is accused of slapping a man and having exposed his genitals during a robbery

A 25-year-old grandfather allegedly slapped a senior television officer between America and London in mid-flight after crossing the crowded plane with his penis exposed.

Hatam Hamad, 56, drank five glasses of wine before exposing himself to Joel Vilmenay, who was with his wife and two young children.

Furious Vilmenay, president of the WDSU television channel in New Orleans, confronted the double nationalist Palestinian and American, but he "reacted by growling" and showed himself to another passenger, said a court.

Hamad, a father of nine, who operates a family-friendly petrol station in New Orleans, was sentenced Friday to a six-week jail term at the Uxbridge court of first instance, suspended for a year after recognizing to have been beaten.

Attorney Wendy Barrett said the incident was unfolded in BA224 flight from New Orleans to Heathrow on October 6, about six hours later.

Reading a statement from Vilmenay, she said: "He explains that he was traveling with his wife and two children aged eight and five, he had just taken his daughter to the bathroom and returned to her home. square."

Vilmenay, who was not in court, added in his statement: "After about five minutes, a man, Mr. Hamad, came down the aisle, directly to my chair, where I sat with my children. "

"My daughter was awake and my son was asleep. This male had his penis out and exposed less than three inches from my face, "the statement said. "At that time, I felt shocked, then tried to get up and shouted at the male," What are you doing? " "

He added that Hamad had refused to put away his penis and had "reacted by growling" before exposing him to another passenger.

Vilmenay said: "At this point, he used the back of his right hand and slapped me to the chest with some force. I was very concerned about what he could do for me, my family and the other passengers around us. "

Cabin crews were alerted to the incident on Corridor 23 and were forced to take Hamad to the back of the aircraft, where he was being held for the remainder of the flight.

Barrett said, "Mr. Vilmenay was stunned and was obviously afraid that his daughter would be exposed to this behavior. "

"The cabin crew, once alerted, approached Mr. Hamad. He had to be escorted to another part of the plane. The other passengers were moved from the last row, "reads the statement.

Miss Barrett said: "Having been arrested for this incident by the police who met the plane at Heathrow, he was brought back to the police station and questioned."

Hamad first denied the attack and told the police that he had taken the flight alone, had drunk "five cups of wine" and then fell asleep.

Miss Barrett said, "He said he did not get up, did not talk to anyone, or touched anyone. He explained that he was not drinking normally but that he was flying nervously.

He told the police that he had not been drinking alcohol for three months, adding, "I'm not crazy, I did not do what you say."

Hamad, who has not yet been sentenced, initially pleaded not guilty to a previous hearing, but has today admitted to assault.

In defense, Ranveer Authwall said it was "a serious matter and he is well aware of it".

She stated that he had lived in New Orleans for 35 years and operated a gas station and shop with his family of nine children and 25 grandchildren, who "reside together".

He was on his way to Jordan with $ 25,000 in cash to build a house, she said.

Authwall said, "Mr. Hamad fears not to receive a custodial sentence. It will also have an impact on his family. "

Lyn Green, president of the court, said: "We will send you to prison for a period of six weeks, but this period of imprisonment will be suspended for one year."

She added, "There will be a victim's compensation order of $ 789, a surcharge of $ 151 and a cost of $ 112."