Haden Pentecost outside Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, Uxbridge (Image: PA)
A British Airways flight attendant was found completely naked and gibbering in a toilet on a flight after going “AWOL in San Francisco”, a court heard. Haden Pentecost, 41, was “agitated, sweating and babbling” after taking a cocktail of drugs on May 25 this year.
Pentecost had been taken off duty by the flight manager when he was unable to help any pre-flight safety checks on the Airbus A320 for the ten-hour flight. After complaining of stomach cramps and saying he needed to change his clothes, Pentecost locked himself in one of the aircraft’s bathrooms.
Read more: ‘I spent £130 on luggage from Heathrow Airport to see if I could make profit’
Read more: Airport delays hit more holidaymakers as six worst airlines ranked
When he opened the door, his colleague found him naked and oblivious to the fact he had no clothes on.
She had to dress him before moving him into a free seat, Isleworth Crown Court was told.
Pentecost, who has since been sacked by BA, appeared in the dock wearing a blue shirt and a dark grey tie.
He earlier admitted performing an aviation function while impaired by drugs and appeared sombre in court today.
Prosecutor Natasha Lake said: “The crew awaited pick up in San Francisco and the defendant said he was suffering some stomach cramps and needed a drink.”
Haden Pentecost was told he had ‘let himself down’ (Image: PA)
Pentecost was described as “pale, erratic and dishevelled” while a colleague said he rambling incoherently.
A colleague made efforts to get him into a sleeper suit while the captain spoke to him behind a curtain.
Pentecost was checked on every 20 minutes and had a heart rate of 120bpm.
Ms Lake said: “He was asked what year it was and what the United States was, but he was unable to answer the questions.”
Pentecost admitted to a colleague he had taken drugs in San Francisco.
A blood test later revealed Pentecost had 236mg of methamphetamine per litre of blood in his system.
Former Legoland employee Pentecost was taken to hospital when the plane touched down at Heathrow.
Jon Harrison, defending Pentecost, said: “He has always been a valued and trusted member of cabin crew.
“If he did not go AWOL in San Francisco, he certainly would not have found himself in front of a criminal court.
“He certainly won’t ever commit this offence again because of the loss of his job.
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“He had a relationship in San Francisco, and in furthering that relationship, on his day off, he ingested drugs to enhance a sexual experience.
“He has done that before he is frank to admit. This is clearly something that he should have thought better off. This was a life lesson. No passenger was aware of the state he was in.
“There is great embarrassment and shame from Mr Pentecost. He wants to put this matter behind him and learn from it. He has had to live with his shame being amplified by those who know him reading articles in the press.”
Sentencing the shamed former flight attendant, Judge Hannah Duncan said: “You don’t need me to tell you just how serious this offence was.
“On your day off, you participated in illegal drug taking. You slept through your phone alarm, and members of staff at your hotel were concerned about you.
“At that point you described yourself as going into auto pilot before you went to work. You declared yourself fit to be there. You were not. You felt and looked unwell, and that was a direct result of your drug use.
“Rather than recovering from your drug use, you deteriorated. That was your own fault. It was bizarre, and it would have been frightening for any of the passengers to see you in that condition.
“Cabin crew perform an essential safety role. If something goes wrong, it is up to you to ensure those on board are staff. It is a position of responsibility and is a position of trust. Due to the professionalism of your colleagues, no passengers were aware of the state you were in. Your colleagues protected them from that.
“You have been sacked in what can only be described as humiliating circumstances. You are intelligent, hard working, and a positive member of society, you are kind, you are compassionate, you are popular, apart from this one appalling incident. You have really let yourself down.”
Pentecost, of Basingstoke, Hants, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months and ordered to perform 80 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay £150 in court costs.
