The incident occurred on an easyJet service from Paris to Belfast International on November 14 last year. According to court reports, Ramiz Idrizi had drunk the majority of five small wine bottles purchased during the journey. The young girl's mother reported that Idrizi was kicking her seat as the aircraft neared landing.
During the flight, Idrizi said 'I'm horny'. A fellow passenger witnessed 'a flash of a hand' beside the girl's seat. The fellow passenger suggested swapping places with the mother and girl due to their distress.
When confronted about his behavior, Idrizi responded by saying 'your mother's a slut'. A woman seated in the aisle reported that Idrizi had been 'spitting and talking to himself'. Cabin crew were made aware of the situation and announced that alcohol was no longer being served.
Idrizi refused requests to hand over the last of his wine and to move seats. Passengers around Idrizi were moved instead. As the plane was coming in to land, Idrizi was seen 'punching the wall of the fuselage'.
The exact age of the girl who was the victim of the attempted sexual assault has not been disclosed, though she was under 13. Whether Idrizi has any prior criminal record or history of similar incidents remains unknown. At Ballymena Magistrates Court, District Judge Nigel Broderick presided over the case.
Ramiz Idrizi was found guilty of attempting to sexually assault a girl aged under 13. He was also found guilty of assaulting a male passenger. However, Ramiz Idrizi, 38, was cleared of one count of assaulting a woman.
Ramiz Idrizi pleaded guilty to being intoxicated on an aircraft. He also pleaded guilty to using abusive language towards cabin crew. Idrizi admitted that he called the passenger's mother a slut.
Idrizi admitted that he was intoxicated. There were significant contradictions in the evidence presented during the trial. Regarding whether Idrizi attempted to touch the girl, the prosecution presented evidence that Idrizi reached between the aircraft wall and the seat in an attempt to touch the child's leg, prompting her to leap up.
In contrast, Idrizi denied trying to touch the girl, suggesting he only touched her seat to grab it when getting up. Regarding whether Idrizi was spitting or hacking up phlegm, a woman reported that Idrizi had been 'spitting and talking to himself', while Idrizi denied that he had been spitting or hacking up phlegm. District Judge Nigel Broderick said he was satisfied that various witnesses had given 'credible and reliable evidence'.
Judge Broderick said he would get a report in fairness to the defendant. The details of the report that Judge Broderick ordered and how it might influence the final judgment are not yet clear. What specific sentence or penalty Idrizi will receive for the guilty verdicts will be determined at a later hearing.
The identity and full testimony of the fellow passenger who witnessed the incident have not been fully disclosed in public reports. Idrizi was freed on bail, with the case to be dealt with on April 28. The judge found witness evidence credible, and Idrizi was found guilty on the most serious charges.
The court proceedings highlighted the disruptive and threatening behavior that occurred during the flight, underscoring the challenges faced by cabin crew and passengers in managing such incidents. The case serves as a reminder of the legal consequences for misconduct on aircraft, with Idrizi facing multiple charges stemming from his actions. The upcoming hearing on April 28 will address the sentencing, pending the completion of the report ordered by the judge.