A 37-year-old man has pleaded guilty to public nuisance and assault occasioning bodily harm after shoving a Virgin Australia staff member at Brisbane Airport's domestic terminal. The incident occurred near Gate 45 shortly after 11am on May 15, 2025, and was witnessed by travellers who saw the man restrained by a crew member and a member of the public until Australian Federal Police arrived.
During the confrontation, the man, who was wearing what appeared to be a Lime e-scooter helmet, pushed a Virgin Australia staff member, causing her to fall backwards. The man appeared via video link from Capricornia Correctional Centre in Rockhampton on Tuesday, already in custody on unrelated matters.
Police facts tendered to the court revealed the man had been disruptive on a flight from Sydney to Brisbane and was refused boarding on a connecting flight to Mackay. The court was told the man, who has schizophrenia, had been off his medication at the time of the incident.
The airline previously thanked crew for their swift response, while Brisbane Airport also praised passengers who stepped in to assist. Under Queensland law, the man could face up to seven years’ imprisonment for assault occasioning bodily harm, as well as up to six months jail for public nuisance.
