Former model and singer Samantha Fox found herself in hot water after a drunken outburst on a British Airways flight, leading to her being fined £1,000 and given a 12-month community order. The incident, which occurred on a London Heathrow to Hamburg flight on 3 December, saw Fox behaving erratically and using threatening language towards a police officer.
According to prosecutor Julianna Belinfante, flight staff noticed Fox’s strange behavior, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol on her. The situation escalated when Fox began behaving confrontationally towards her wife, Linda Olsen, prompting the decision to return to the gate and have police remove her from the plane.
Described as “rude and argumentative” by officers, Fox was verbally abusive as she was escorted from the airport. Her lawyer, Alastair Smith, explained that Fox had purchased drinks at the airport to calm her nerves due to severe anxiety, but admitted she was not in a fit state to fly.
Despite the incident causing a 12-hour delay for the 162 passengers on board, with 42 claiming compensation, Fox was also ordered to pay £1,718 to British Airways for the losses incurred. The charge of assaulting her wife was dropped by prosecutors.
The court hearing shed light on the struggles Fox was facing at the time, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and seeking help when needed.
