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Mother denies flight fondle claim Mother denies flight fondle claim
(9 minutes later)
A mother has denied being fondled by a passenger on a flight to Heathrow Airport, saying the accusations were "outrageous" and "gobsmacking".A mother has denied being fondled by a passenger on a flight to Heathrow Airport, saying the accusations were "outrageous" and "gobsmacking".
Clare Irby, a descendant of the Guinness brewing dynasty, is accused of being drunk while flying from Bangalore on Kingfisher Airlines on 26 March.Clare Irby, a descendant of the Guinness brewing dynasty, is accused of being drunk while flying from Bangalore on Kingfisher Airlines on 26 March.
The 30-year-old, who was with her son, aged two, told Isleworth Crown Court that she was sleep-deprived.The 30-year-old, who was with her son, aged two, told Isleworth Crown Court that she was sleep-deprived.
Ms Irby, of Fulham, west London, denies being drunk on an aircraft.Ms Irby, of Fulham, west London, denies being drunk on an aircraft.
But she told the court that she felt sorry for passengers who had sat next to her. But she told the court she felt sorry for passengers who had sat next to her.
Tipsy
Ms Irby said: "I personally feel sorry for people who sit by me because I know I'm louder than the average person, because I have a child who I care for and have to make sure he behaves as well as he can."Ms Irby said: "I personally feel sorry for people who sit by me because I know I'm louder than the average person, because I have a child who I care for and have to make sure he behaves as well as he can."
She said she was "tipsy", having had four or five glasses of wine on the flight, but denied suggestion that she had actually consumed up to ten glasses. I was really, really tired. I would say I was suffering from sleep deprivation at this point Clare Irby, defendant
Furthermore, Ms Irby said she was surprised when the flight captain banned her from being served more alcohol and accepted that she asked for more wine after that decision had been made. She said she was "tipsy", having had four or five glasses of wine on the flight, but denied suggestions she had actually consumed up to ten glasses.
I was really, really tired. I would say I was suffering from sleep deprivation at this point Clare Irby Furthermore, Ms Irby said she was surprised when the flight captain banned her from being served more alcohol and accepted she asked for more wine after the decision had been made.
She also accepted being "rather too curt with the air hostess" and added that she was not as polite as usual. She also accepted being "rather too curt with the air hostess" and added she was not as polite as usual.
It had been alleged that she had sworn at one flight attendant while putting her hand into the face of another. The court has been told that she swore at one flight attendant while putting her hand into the face of another.
Ms Irby, the daughter of banker Paul Aschan, who is a descendant of the Guinness brewing family, rejected allegations that she had flirted with passenger Daniel Melia or had revealed her underwear while trying to get changed. Ms Irby, the daughter of banker Paul Aschan, who is a descendant of the Guinness brewing family, rejected allegations she had flirted with passenger Daniel Melia or had revealed her underwear while trying to get changed.
She said: "I was a bit relaxed but I was certainly very together. I was exhausted beyond belief. I was really, really tired. I would say I was suffering from sleep deprivation at this point."She said: "I was a bit relaxed but I was certainly very together. I was exhausted beyond belief. I was really, really tired. I would say I was suffering from sleep deprivation at this point."
'Acting flirtatiously''Acting flirtatiously'
Previously in the hearing, Captain Vivek Sondhi told jurors that Ms Irby was "on the verge of being dangerous". Previously in the trial, Captain Vivek Sondhi told jurors Ms Irby was "on the verge of being dangerous".
Meanwhile, flight attendant Shivaneji Sharma said that Ms Irby took off her skirt, revealing her G-string, before changing into a pair of leggings. Flight attendant Shivaneji Sharma also told the court that Ms Irby took off her skirt, revealing her G-string, before changing into a pair of leggings.
Polly O'Callaghan, another passenger on the flight, alleged that Ms Irby had been acting flirtatiously with Mr Melia, 36. Polly O'Callaghan, another passenger on the flight, alleged Ms Irby had been acting flirtatiously with Mr Melia, 36.
Ms O'Callaghan said she heard Ms Irby say: "I'm not normally this relaxed. It's just all the opium I've been taking." She added that the comment may have been made in jest. Ms O'Callaghan said she heard Ms Irby say: "I'm not normally this relaxed. It's just all the opium I've been taking."
She said the pair were loud and abusive, claiming they regularly pressed the attendant call button. She accepted the comment may have been made in jest, but told the court the pair were loud and abusive, and regularly pressed the attendant call button.
It was further alleged that Mr Melia's girlfriend moved away from him because she was being ignored. Mr Melia is not on trial. It was further alleged Mr Melia's girlfriend moved away from him because he was ignoring her. Mr Melia is not on trial.
The trial continues.The trial continues.