A BRITISH Army officer returning from a fact-finding trip to the scene of the tsunami in Thailand went “berserk” on his flight home after drinking whisky, wine and port, a court was told yesterday.

Colonel Peter Roberts, 51, the British defence attaché in Thailand, hurled abuse at other passengers, threatened to kill cabin staff and had to have his wrists and ankles bound to restrain him. On landing at Heathrow he tried to punch and kick police as they arrested him, Isleworth Crown Court was told.

Anil Mohun Kumar, a fellow passenger, said that the colonel launched into a tirade against Thailand, its ruler and its religion. Mr Kumar told the court: “He made several threats to kill the people trying to restrain him. I was extremely disgusted by his demeanour and behaviour. He was a danger to the crew and passengers.”

Cellie Fernandez, another passenger, said the colonel shouted: “Do you know who I am? I’m the head of the British Government in Thailand and you’re treating me like this.”

Colonel Roberts, 51, of Passfield, Hampshire, had boarded the flight from Abu Dhabi on February 17 last year and was due to give a presentation on the tsunami on his return. The court was told that he had been taking the antidepressant drug Seroxat, which should not be taken with alcohol.

Gareth Rees, QC, for the prosecution, said Colonel Roberts had drunk two or three small bottles of wine, three whiskies and some port during the flight. He had also been drinking wine on a connecting flight from Bangkok to Abu Dhabi.

Kevin McGuire, who sat next to Colonel Roberts, said he was initially pleasant. “It soon became obvious he was an important man in a very important position,” he added. “I found him to be a genuinely nice man. He showed me some pictures from his folder about the tsunami, which I found quite disturbing.

“For lunch he had drunk a couple of bottles of wine, some port and some whisky, but continued to be politely sociable.”

Later Colonel Roberts grabbed the arms of cabin crew and asked for more whisky. He got up to talk to other passengers and crew. Mr McGuire said that the colonel began to cry before falling asleep. Later he was mumbling and swearing before grabbing a woman.

Mr McGuire said: “I elbowed him in the face and put him in a headlock. We managed to get plastic restraints on his wrists and ankles. He was shouting all the swear words imaginable. I kept my right arm on his wrist and there followed some 90 minutes of threats and abuse.

“Women and children were moved. My impression was that the man seemed to be both angry and terrified.”

Colonel Roberts denies being drunk on an aircraft.

The trial continues.

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