Salman Iftikhar, 37 Wealthy Recruitment Boss Jailed After Threatening to Gang Rape and Burn Virgin Atlantic Stewardess Alive Mid-Flight.
A wealthy businessman who unleashed a drunken and racist tirade on a Virgin Atlantic stewardess at 39,000 feet — threatening to gang rape her and burn her alive — has been jailed for 15 months.
Salman Iftikhar, 37, director of the recruitment firm Staffing Match, was travelling first class with his wife and three children from London Heathrow to Lahore when the terrifying incident unfolded.
Having consumed large amounts of champagne, Iftikhar became abusive after being asked to stop taking ice directly from the onboard bar. He turned on senior flight attendant Angie Walsh, calling her a “f****** b****” repeatedly and accusing her of racism. He then chillingly warned that she would be “dragged out of her hotel room, gang raped, and set on fire.”
Other threats included blowing up the floor of the Lahore hotel where the crew were scheduled to stay, a hotel he identified with chilling accuracy. The shocking abuse lasted for the entire eight-hour flight, leaving fellow passengers, including his own crying children, in shock.
One crew member had to comfort Iftikhar’s distraught wife while he continued his rant. When crew attempted to calm him, he grabbed Ms Walsh’s hand and hurled more racist abuse, shouting: “Do you know who I am?” He also threatened to fight another steward, Tommy Merchant, before being restrained.
The situation became so severe the pilot considered diverting the flight to Turkey. Even the threat of diversion had no impact on Iftikhar, who boasted about his contacts and continued his abuse.
Victim Impact
In court, Angie Walsh, who has been a flight attendant for 37 years, gave a moving statement describing how the ordeal left her “broken and traumatised.” She revealed she had taken 14 months off work and struggled with anxiety since the incident.
“I was abused for eight hours and 15 minutes while trapped in the air with nowhere to go,” she said. “I have flown into war zones and even worked during 9/11, but this incident broke me. The threat of being gang raped and set on fire will haunt me forever.”
Court Proceedings
Iftikhar admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment but denied assault. He has six prior convictions, including drink-driving and drug offences.
His defence argued that “amnesia blood loss,” alcohol, and long-term substance abuse contributed to his behaviour. However, Judge Annabel Darlow KC rejected this as mitigation, highlighting the devastating effect on Ms Walsh and the emotional trauma inflicted on his own children, who had to be comforted by cabin crew.
“You terrorised crew members for hours in front of your crying children,” the judge said. “Your behaviour was violent, racist, and sustained. The consequences have been long-lasting and deeply damaging.”
Iftikhar, dressed in a grey suit and pink shirt, wept as he was sentenced to 15 months in prison.
Virgin Atlantic praised their crew, saying: “We take a zero-tolerance approach to disruptive or abusive behaviour. We are incredibly proud of Angie and our crew for their courage and professionalism during this distressing event.”
