A LAGER lout was arrested and stopped from flying after threatening to stab an airport barmaid in a row over drinks.

The man, aged in his 30s, flew into a rage after being denied another drink as he waited in the departure lounge at Southend Airport.

Witnesses said the man, from Romford, launched a tirade of abuse at the female worker before flinging a walking stick at her head.

No weapon was found on him, but he missed his flight to Amsterdam because officers took him into custody at Southend police station.

The incident took place on Thursday, September 22.

One witness, who asked not to be named, said: “We were waiting for our flight to Amsterdam and could see this guy getting increasingly plastered.

“He was with a woman and he was knocking back pints. She didn’t seem to do anything wrong so I felt a bit sorry for her.

“From what I could tell, the barmaid said she was not going to serve him anymore because he was being rude.

“The next thing we knew he had kicked off and was shouting and swearing at her. It was vile. At one point he said he was going to stab her.

“That’s when the police got involved. He was also supposed to be going to Amsterdam.

“I’m just glad he made those threats in the bar and not on the plane.”

The incident happened just a week after 24-year-old Conor Crosbby, of Princes Close, Laindon, was stopped from flying to Ibiza after allegedly lighting up a cigarette just yards from the aircraft while boarding at Southend Airport.

He will appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on Friday charged with endangering an aircraft and assaulting two police officers.

An Essex Police spokesman said the man arrested during the latest incident was handed a fine.

The spokesman said: “A man was arrested for a public order offence at Southend Airport.

“Officers were called at around 6.45pm on Thursday, September 22.

“Witnesses reported a man had been drinking at the bar waiting for a flight.

“He then became verbally aggressive to staff and members of the public.

“He has been given a penalty notice for disorder.”

A spokesman for Southend Airport said: “The safety and security of passengers travelling through London Southend Airport is our priority and we do not hesitate to take appropriate action if we feel that might be compromised.”