James Bradley Noble, 35, a resident of Northern Ireland, was sentenced in US District Court in Seattle to time served after spending approximately 10 days in jail.
A licensed pilot who assaulted a flight attendant and terrorized passengers aboard an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Seattle was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to a federal felony.
James Bradley Noble, 35, a resident of Northern Ireland, was sentenced in US District Court in Seattle to time served after spending approximately 10 days in the King County Jail and Federal Detention Center following the June 19 incident.
Noble had been on home detention with electronic monitoring at a rented Seattle residence since his release.
According to federal prosecutors, Noble was significantly impaired by alcohol and medication he consumed during the flight when he began targeting passengers around him.
Noble first assaulted the woman seated next to him, attempting to force a pill on her before spilling a drink on her. He then went to the aircraft's galley, where prosecutors said he aggressively grabbed a flight attendant from behind. The flight attendant attempted to escort Noble back to his seat, but as Noble moved down the aisle, he stumbled into another passenger, cursed at the person, and violently shook the back of the passenger's seat.
Passengers seated near Noble had to be relocated, and several flight attendants were ultimately required to restrain him in his seat. He remained restrained for hours during the flight. One flight attendant told authorities that passengers "were terrified" by Noble's behavior and said the disruption could have made it difficult for the crew to respond had an emergency occurred aboard the aircraft.
US District Judge Lauren King accepted prosecutors' recommendation for a time-served sentence. “Your behavior impacted all the people on the flight,” King told Noble, adding that “The flight attendants’ actions were admirable and ensured the safety of all on board.”
Prosecutors stressed the seriousness of the incident in their sentencing memorandum, noting that Noble was a licensed pilot and therefore should have been particularly aware of the dangers posed by disruptive behavior aboard an aircraft.
“After consuming a large amount of alcohol and a prescription medication, Mr. Noble became disruptive, threatening to fight other passengers and flight attendants. While no one was seriously injured, the seriousness of this behavior should not be minimized,” prosecutors wrote.
“No one should be subject to bad and borderline violent behavior while locked in a metal tube at 30,000 feet, with no way to escape the disruptive behavior. And Mr. Noble certainly should have known better as a licensed pilot himself.”
Prosecutors said the felony conviction will likely carry additional consequences for Noble's ability to travel and continue his current employment.
Noble pleaded guilty on Aug. 19 to interference with flight crew members and attendants.
The case is not entirely concluded. Victims are still submitting information regarding restitution for injuries they may have suffered during the incident, and a restitution hearing is scheduled for late October.
Noble is expected to voluntarily leave the United States following his sentencing. Federal prosecutors said his felony conviction could prevent him from returning to the country.
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