A PASSENGER who refused to pay a £25 baggage fee will now pay hundreds in costs after abusing staff.

Aron Pucci will pay more than £700 in compensation and costs after he rampaged through Southend Airport damaging property and abusing members of staff last month.

The 30-year-old had attended the airport on November 23 and was due to board a flight to Malaga, Spain.

However, before he boarded the airport staff said his hand luggage was too big, and that he would have to pay an extra £25 to take it onto the flight.

He then began to fight with the staff after he refused to pay the fee.

Pucci then began shouting abuse at staff in the airport terminal and threw two luggage trolleys on the floor and into a fire door causing £520 worth of damage.

He was arrested at the scene and later charged with three counts of criminal damage and one count of threatening behaviour.

He admitted the charges at Southend Magistrates Court on November 25 and was ordered to pay £520 compensation, a £70 fine, £105 in courts costs and a £32 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Alfie McPhimey, of Rayleigh Local Policing Team, said: “Pucci was asked to pay a £25 fee due to the size of his luggage.

“Following his actions he must now pay £727, missed his flight and has a criminal record.

“This case sends a clear message - the behaviour of disruptive passengers will not be tolerated.

“If you choose behave like this in an airport, abusing people who are simply doing their job and damaging property, then face being prosecuted and fined.”

Stobart Group, owners of the airport, were contacted but did not wish to comment.