Authorities at London’s Heathrow Airport have arrested a passenger suspected of raping a woman on a night-time transatlantic flight from the US state of New Jersey.
She complained to the flight crew before landing at Heathrow Airport that a man forced her to have sex on the plane, where the two passengers were in business class, and while the other passengers were sleeping.
The flight crew informed the airport authorities of the existence of this communication prior to landing.
Police boarded the “United Airlines” plane after the flight landed at 6: 39 a.m. GMT, and arrested the man.
Police said in a statement that the man had been released on bail as investigations into the case continued.
Police reportedly conducted a full forensic search of the cabin while specialist officers interviewed the woman, who is also British.
A British police spokesman said the Metropolitan Police was aware of an”incident during an incoming flight to the country”.
“The complainant, a 40-year-old woman, is being supported by specialist officers and investigations are ongoing.
The woman said she was assaulted by a 40-year-old man on a flight from New Jersey to London on January 31.
British newspapers quoted a British source as saying: “it appears that the two parties had no prior knowledge of each other, but it appears that they were seen talking to each other and drinking before and during the trip”.
“Police took the matter seriously and forensic officers conducted a thorough investigation into the cabin of the aircraft where the incident was said to have occurred,”he said.
A United Airlines spokesman said: “Our crew immediately contacted local authorities as soon as they became aware of these allegations. “We will cooperate with law enforcement in any investigation.