LONDON, 7 AUG

Salman Iftikhar, a 37-year-old UK-based Pakistani-origin businessman and founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match, has been sentenced to 15 months in jail for issuing violent rape threats and racially abusing cabin crew during a Virgin Atlantic first-class flight from London Heathrow to Lahore in February 2023.

Iftikhar, who was intoxicated and travelling with his wife and three children, subjected flight attendant Angie Walsh to a barrage of threats, saying she would be “dragged by [her] hair from [her] hotel room, gang raped and set on fire,” while also referencing specific hotel details where the crew was to stay. He also used repeated racial slurs, accused staff of racism, and threatened to blow up the hotel.

The situation escalated further as Iftikhar physically grabbed a male crew member and shoved his wife when she tried to intervene. Crew members considered diverting the flight due to his behaviour, part of which was recorded by a fellow passenger. No immediate action was taken by authorities upon landing in Pakistan, but Iftikhar was later arrested in England in March 2024.

The incident left Walsh traumatised, forcing her to take a 14-month leave from work. Iftikhar pleaded guilty to making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment. His conviction and sentencing drew widespread media condemnation in the UK.