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Lawrence Russell’s Arrest
Lawrence Russell, a Delta Airlines captain, was apprehended by airport security officers on June 16th last year at Edinburgh Airport. He was found carrying two bottles of Jägermeister in his luggage, one of which was half full.
Breath Test Reveals Excess Alcohol
A subsequent breath test indicated that Russell was more than twice the legal alcohol limit for pilots. The Edinburgh Sheriff Court learned that Russell, aged 63 and hailing from Georgia, had been undergoing treatment for alcoholism.
Legal Proceedings and Consequences
The court proceedings unveiled that Russell had 49mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, significantly exceeding the legal limit of 20mg. Consequently, he was sentenced to 10 months in jail by Sheriff Alison Stirling. This decision was made both as a punishment and for the “protection of the public”.
Flight Cancellation and Passenger Assistance
Russell’s intended flight, a Boeing 767 journey from Edinburgh to JFK Airport in New York, was scheduled to depart at 10:35 but was cancelled due to his arrest. Delta Airlines ensured that all passengers affected were provided assistance with their travel arrangements.
Previous Convictions and Rehabilitation Efforts
Russell, a father-of-two, had two previous convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol in the United States. However, his defense lawyer, Pamela Rodgers, highlighted that he was a recovering alcoholic who had been sober for 277 days and had completed a 12 Steps to Recovery rehab programme.
Condemnation and Consequences
Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, condemned Russell’s actions, stating that they endangered many lives and demonstrated a “reckless disregard” for passenger safety. She emphasized the significant risk posed to the lives of hundreds of passengers and crew aboard commercial aircraft.
