I've had a lucky escape, says man cleared of jet romp

A passenger was cleared this afternoon of being drunk on a plane, using the same legal technicality that freed the socialite he was accused of cavorting with.

Daniel Melia, 37, was said to have kissed and fondled Guinness heiress Clare Irby on a long-haul flight from Bangalore to Heathrow.

Ms Irby was cleared of the same charge on Wednesday after the judge ruled that it had to be proved that she was still drunk when the Kingfisher Airlines flight was in British airspace - only 20 minutes at the end of the flight.

Mr Melia's defence barrister used the same loophole today when he changed his plea from guilty. Prosecutors decided to offer no evidence and a formal verdict of "not guilty" was recorded.

Speaking outside Isleworth crown court, Mr Melia said: "I'm just pleased it is all over. I am greatly relieved. I do feel I have had a lucky escape."

Asked if he regretted what happened on the flight Mr Melia, who describes himself as a post-graduate philosophy student, said: "Of course — it was drunken stupidness. I wasn't drunk in the last 20 minutes. I would accept that I was drunk earlier."

The legislation that Ms Irby was charged under meant her charge only related to her condition in British airspace.

Her trial heard that Mr Melia had been banned from drinking during the flight after knocking back red wine. He was alleged to have had a row with his model girlfriend Sarah Hannon, as well
as arguing with another passenger.

When told by prosecutor James Harris that he had been instructed by the CPS to drop the case, Judge John Denniss said: "I understand why.

"It would have been avoidable if appropriate steps had been taken to obtain the appropriate evidence in the first place, but I make no comment on that."