Drunk man who sang karaoke on plane tannoy is fined £1,000

A man who admitted endangering an aircraft by taking over the flight's tannoy system to sing karaoke has been fined £1,000.

Graham Leonard was on a charter flight back to Aberdeen from a Manchester United match at Old Trafford in March when he hijacked the intercom.

The drunken 46-year-old, of Newmachar, later caused part of Aberdeen International Airport to be evacuated after setting off a fire alarm.

He was fined at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Leonard was also ordered to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He was part of a group of United fans who chartered an Eastern Airways flight from Aberdeen to Manchester to watch the 3-0 win over Tottenham on 15 March.

'Ashamed of behaviour'

The court previously heard the group had downed beers and gin and tonics on the way to the match, before enjoying a corporate event with former players at a Manchester hotel.

Businessman Leonard, who owns a painting and decorating firm in Aberdeen, approached cabin staff on the return flight to ask if he could sing a song on the public address system, part of the communication system used by the captain.

He was told no, but took the microphone and started singing anyway.

Defence lawyer Gregor Kelly said his client was "ashamed" of his behaviour.

Sheriff Edward Savage told Leonard he had acted in an "appalling" manner.