British Airways (BA) has removed a pilot from flying duties after his arrest for sexual offences and substance abuse. The flag carrier’s employee is accused of crimes of voyeurism against up to 16 air crew from a range of carriers.
BA told The Sun the pilot had been suspended while the Metropolitan Police (Met) investigate and that he is receiving support. It is unclear whether the alleged victims are also being supported other than by police services.
The Met has confirmed the arrest of the pilot, who is understood to be 31 years of age. He is accused of filming sexual encounters with women aged between 23 and 36 without their consent—a sex crime called “voyeurism” that falls under Section 67 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. The man is also accused of distributing the footage by posting them online—a separate offence that is an aggravating factor in voyeurism cases and can lead to more severe penalties.
The alleged crimes have been described by multiple sources who spoke to reporters. The pilot is accused of setting up a laptop in a hotel room with music playing and of covering the light that would have indicated the device was switched on and filming. The alleged survivors are said to be crew members from different airlines, including BA and Virgin Atlantic.
Commenting on the crime of voyeurism in 2020, Katie Russell for Rape Crisis England & Wales said: “In our frontline experience of supporting those who’ve been subjected to sexual violence and abuse, we know the significant trauma image-based abuse, including being filmed naked or during sex without consent, can cause.”
Maximum sentencing guidance for crimes of voyeurism prosecuted in the Crown Court is up to two years’ imprisonment. Perpetrators can also be made to sign the sex offender register.
The pilot is also said to have been recorded using cocaine, drawing in commentary from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). A CAA spokesperson told The Independent: “We can’t comment on individual cases, but reports of substance misuse are being reviewed, and any appropriate action will be taken.”
Piloting a commercial aircraft while under the influence of drugs is punishable in the UK by jail time up to two years and unlimited fines. If the drug use is judged to have endangered the safety of the aircraft, offenders can face up to five years in prison. In addition, professional consequences include the removal of the pilot’s licence and the termination of their career, with a criminal record triggering the automatic failure of subsequent background checks.
