Iver Man’s Sentence Tripled for Threatening Air Steward
A man from Iver, Buckinghamshire, has seen his prison sentence dramatically increased for making violent threats towards an air steward. Salman Iftikhar, aged 38, initially received a sentence of 15 months in prison for threatening to kill and for racially aggravated harassment.
Details of the Incident
The threats occurred in February 2023 during a flight from London to Lahore, Pakistan. Under the influence of alcohol, Iftikhar verbally assaulted the cabin crew, making threats that included violence against the air steward. He also alarmed the staff by claiming their hotels would be bombed.
Escalation of the Sentence
In August 2023, Isleworth Crown Court sentenced Iftikhar to 15 months. However, after a review indicated the sentence was unduly lenient, the legal authorities referred the case to the Court of Appeal. As a result, his sentence has now been increased to four years and three months.
- Original Sentence: 15 months
- New Sentence: 4 years 3 months
- Incident Date: February 2023
- Court Date: August 2023
Impact on Victims
The air steward who bore the brunt of Iftikhar’s abuse provided a statement describing her ongoing trauma. She has been unable to work for 14 months due to the psychological impact of the incident.
Ellie Reeves, the solicitor general, condemned Iftikhar’s actions, emphasizing the distress caused to all passengers and crew on the flight. Following public outcry and multiple requests for a sentence review, the case was escalated, leading to the significant increase in punishment.
