UK national pleads guilty to disorderly conduct at airport

A British citizen told the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court on Wednesday that having to endure a long flight may have played a role in him being charged for loud and rowdy behaviour at the Norman Manley International Airport.

Leon Bryce denied shouting at an official while being interviewed after arrival.

"I didn't shout at him, my ears were actually blocked after spending 17 hours on a flight," Bryce explained to Parish Judge Paula Blake-Powell.

Bryce reportedly arrived on the island on January 10 and while being interviewed, he started behaving in a boisterous manner. Efforts to calm him proved futile, and he was subsequently charged for breaching section 22 of the Airport Authority Act. To the charge of disorderly conduct, Bryce pleaded not guilty.

But when questioned by Blake-Powell if he intended to stay in Jamaica for trial, Bryce said he intended to leave that day.

"So, can I change my plea?" Bryce asked. "That's up to you sir. I can't force you to do one or the other," the jurist said.

Bryce then changed his plea to guilty and was fined $30,000 or 30-days' imprisonment. - T.T.