A Virgin Atlantic flight attendant from the UK was taken into custody for allegedly shoving a young woman who he claimed cut ahead of him at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Florida.
Keith Newman, 47, a member of the airline’s crew, is accused of pushing an 18-year-old at the theme park on February 20, causing her to stumble and accidentally spill water on a friend.
The incident reportedly occurred when the girl allegedly bypassed others in line for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, inspired by the character from the Disney film “The Princess and the Frog.” Newman asserted that he attempted to prevent her from cutting in line by extending his arm and reminding her of the queue.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s arrest report, the teenager claimed that as she tried to pass by him, he forcefully pushed her backward using both hands, causing her to fall into her friend and splash water on herself from a spilled bottle.
Although the victim did not sustain any injuries and did not seek medical assistance, Newman denied the allegations of pushing her. However, the victim’s companion supported the account during police questioning, mentioning that Newman had warned the girl about the queue before physically blocking her.
The friend further alleged that when the victim resisted being pushed back, Newman resorted to using both hands to shove her away. Newman, on the other hand, stated that he had merely extended his hand, and the girl had walked into it unintentionally.
Following an investigation, Newman was arrested on a charge of battery but was later released on £734 ($1,000) bail. He has since returned to his residence in Lemington, Newcastle, where he lives with his partner, also an airline employee.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father condemned Newman’s actions as “inexcusable,” emphasizing that physical contact should only be used in self-defense, especially when dealing with a younger person of the opposite sex. He expressed his dismay over the incident, highlighting that his daughter appeared much younger than her age and was clearly a minor, making Newman’s actions unacceptable.
The father’s statements were reported in the Daily Mail, where he emphasized the importance of respecting boundaries and avoiding any form of physical aggression, particularly towards individuals who are significantly younger or vulnerable.