SEPANG - A German air passenger who demanded a tipple to be served even before the "fasten seatbelt" light went off now has to serve a month in a Malaysian jail.

Bali-based businessman Dietmar Ross, 54, was sentenced on Wednesday by the Sessions Court over the ruckus he caused on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH179, which was leaving Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) for Colombo last Saturday night.

He pleaded guilty to a charge of endangering a cabin crew member by raising his voice, not abiding by the rules of the flight and using harsh words.

According to the facts of the case, Ross, who was seated in business class, had not waited for the seatbelt sign to go off before he stood up and harassed an air stewardess to bring him whisky. She refused and asked Ross to be seated.

Offended, the German reviled her with foul language and demanded to enter the cockpit to speak to the captain.

The stewardess sought help from her fellow crew members and a scuffle ensued.

Several other passengers stepped in to help the crew use handcuffs to restrain Ross, who threatened them: "I remember your faces. I will find you and your family and kill you."

The pilot then turned back to KLIA and handed Ross over to police.

In court on Wednesday, Ross' lawyer sought a fine as punishment, saying his client is remorseful, but the judge sentenced the German to a month's jail from the date of his arrest.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK