Man charged after allegedly breaking into plane to make mental health bid: court

An Indian national who allegedly broke onto a plane at Australia’s busiest international airport before knocking out an airport security guard will seek to have the charges dealt with on mental health grounds. Pritheiraj Janardhan Kurapothula, 27, appeared before Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and entering an airside security area without permission. Police allege the 27-year-old forced open an aerobridge door at Sydney Airport’s international terminal and boarded an aircraft on October 28. After being spoken to by flight crew, Mr Kurapothula exited the plane before allegedly assaulting a security officer who was knocked unconscious. Appearing before court on Wednesday, lawyer Rao Qasim Zahid asked for the matter to be adjourned for two weeks in order to gather material for an application under Section 14 of the Mental Health Act. Under the Act, a magistrate can dispense with a matter without punishment if the person is found to have been suffering from a mental or cognitive impairment, and is often ordered to attend treatment. Mr Kurapothula will reappear before the court for the application on December 20. Australian Federal Police (AFP) detective inspector Dom Stephenson said there was zero tolerance for violence or abusive behaviour in airports. “The AFP works closely with our partners in the airline industry to protect travellers and workers and will intervene if anyone’s behaviour in or around an airport becomes aggressive or violent,” he said.