British company director was arrested after 'assaulting wife on flight from London to Texas' 

  • Darren Halliwell, 48, 'became disruptive' on British Airways flight, it is said
  • He allegedly began assaulting his wife as plane traveled to Houston, Texas
  • Other passengers 'had to restrain him' and aircraft was diverted to Boston
  • Flight 195 was met on tarmac by two Massachusetts State Police vehicles
  • Halliwell taken into custody and charged with interference to a flight crew
  • Father-of-two, from England, may also face assault charges over incident

By Nazia Parveen for the Daily Mail

Published: 10:56 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 01:25 EST, 10 July 2015

A company director is alleged to have attacked his wife on a plane to Texas causing it to divert mid-air before he was arrested in Boston.

Father-of-two Darren Halliwell is said to have had to be restrained by other passengers after he began assaulting his wife on the British Airways flight.

Mr Halliwell, reportedly 'became disruptive' during the BA Flight 195, which had departed from London's Heathrow Airport on Wednesday morning.

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Darren Halliwell, pictured, was arrested following an incident on board a trans-atlantic flight 

Darren Halliwell, pictured, was arrested following an incident on board a trans-atlantic flight 

Diverted: British passenger Darren Halliwell, 48, from England, has been arrested after he allegedly started assaulting his wife on board a flight from London to Texas. Above, the plane is pictured 

Diverted: British Airways passenger Darren Halliwell, 48, from England, has been arrested after he allegedly started assaulting his wife on board a flight from London to Texas - forcing the Captain to divert the plane to Boston. Above, diverted plane is pictured at Logan International Airport, where it arrived shortly after noon

The captain was alerted to the disturbance and was forced to divert the plane to Boston.

The plane landed at Logan International Airport shortly after noon, where two Massachusetts State Police cars were waiting on the tarmac. Halliwell was handcuffed and taken into state custody.

It is understood that keen wieghtlifter Mr Halliwell and his wife Sharon, 46, were en route to a powerlifting event in Texas to support a friend.

After attending the USAPL Summer Powerfest in Houston, Texas, on July 11 the couple were planning on visiting nearby states during their three-week trip.

But before they had even landed on US soil it is believed the couple had an argument on the plane with Mr Halliwell allegedly attacking his wife.

Waiting: Halliwell, who lives in the village of Aspull, reportedly 'became disruptive' and starting assaulting his spouse during Flight 195. Above, two Massachusetts State Police cars were waiting on the tarmac in Boston

Waiting: Halliwell, who lives in the village of Aspull, reportedly 'became disruptive' and starting assaulting his spouse during Flight 195. Above, two Massachusetts State Police cars were waiting on the tarmac in Boston

 

Diversion: This Flightaware.com graphic shows the diverted path Flight 195 took on Wednesday morning

Diversion: This Flightaware.com graphic shows the diverted path Flight 195 took on Wednesday morning

Wcvb reports that bail was set at $5,000 at his arraignment in East Boston District Court this morning.

The website reports that the court heard Halliwell had to be restrained by others. 

Witnesses said he had been drinking then became violent and started shouting, Wcvb says of the court hearing.

Prosecutors are said to have claimed that Halliwell hit his wife and fell on to other passengers.

One passenger is quoted as saying: 'I was in the bathroom and when I came out he was standing there talking to three of the airline guys.. He was a really big guy. He had taken his shirt off.'

Neighbours of the couple in the village of Aspull, a leafy suburb of Wigan, Greater Manchester, expressed their shock at the incident.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named said ‘I'm absolutely stunned that he had been arrested. I know him pretty well and he is a really nice guy and normally very mild-mannered.

‘They've lived in the village for years and been married quite a while, with two grown-up daughters.’

The couple who have two daughters aged 24 and 22 and run a business consultancy together.

Another neighbour, who lives near the couple’s £650,000 converted barn home at the bottom of a private country road said: ‘You can see him quite often and he’s always in different flash cars so there's obviously a bit of money there.

‘I’ve always thought they were very well-to-do and I believe he is a fairly successful businessman.

‘I've seen him at the gym once or twice and I know he travels around to watch competitions.

‘My partner knows him and by all accounts he has been arrested for attacking his wife.’  

Emergency: After Halliwell was removed from the flight at Logan International Airport (pictured) in Boston, the plane continued to its destination in Houston. It is unclear whether the suspect's wife stayed on the flight

Emergency: After Halliwell was removed from the flight at Logan International Airport (pictured) in Boston, the plane continued to its destination in Houston. It is unclear whether the suspect's wife stayed on the flight

On Thursday Mr Halliwell’s lone Mercedes Kompressor sat on the driveway while gardeners worked on a neighbour's vast lawn.

He has since been charged with interfering with a flight crew. He may face additional charges of assault.

Massachusetts state police said: 'Troopers met British Airways Flight 195, on which Halliwell was a passenger, when it landed at Logan Airport shortly after noon.'

The force added: 'State Police had been notified that the flight was being diverted to Logan after Halliwell allegedly assaulted a woman he was traveling with and became disruptive.'

This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated 

After Halliwell was removed from the flight, the plane continued to its destination George Bush Intercontinental Airport. It is unclear whether Mrs Halliwell stayed on the flight.

In a statement about the incident, British Airways said: 'Our customers and crews deserve to enjoy their flights, and not to suffer any form of abuse. This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated.

'The matter will now be handled by the police.'

It is believed that Mr Halliwell remains in police custody.A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of reports of the arrest of a British national at Boston Logan International Airport and stand ready to offer consular assistance as necessary.’ 

Nobody answered at the family’s home on Thursday.

 

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