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23h ago

Recruitment Boss Jailed for Racist and Gang-Rape Threats on Virgin Atlantic Flight

The sentence follows mid-flight threats that traumatised a stewardess who has now returned to work after 14 months off

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In a video recorded by another passenger, Salman Iftikhar can be heard accusing the air hostess of being a racist

Overview

  • Isleworth Crown Court sentenced Salman Iftikhar to 15 months in prison for threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment of cabin crew during a Virgin Atlantic flight.
  • During the eight-hour journey from London Heathrow to Lahore in February 2023, an intoxicated Iftikhar unleashed racist slurs and threatened to gang-rape, burn and bomb flight attendant Angie Walsh and her hotel room.
  • No action was taken when the aircraft landed in Pakistan, and Iftikhar was only arrested at his home in Iver, Buckinghamshire, in March 2024, highlighting cross-border enforcement shortfalls.
  • Walsh, a 37-year veteran of Virgin Atlantic, said the ordeal traumatised her and forced a 14-month recovery leave before she returned to work.
  • The 37-year-old, founder of the staffing firm Staffing Match, has six prior convictions for assault, drink-driving and drug offences and has long-standing substance-misuse issues.