Diplomat Jerome Barnes blacklisted on the services of SAA

[SN30952]

Jerome Barnes, who was found guilty of the indecent assault of a South African Airways flight attendant has retained his job with the foreign office, RSA Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.

Rich Mkhondo, SAA executive manager of communications said on Thursday: "Barnes remains blacklisted on the services of SAA. That means he will not be welcome on any of our flights, domestic or international,"

Barnes appeared in court on Wednesday in connection with an incident on May 6, 2000, on board flight SA 226 from Johannesburg to London, where he was attached to the SA High Commission staff.
He was reportedly drunk and unruly and was involved in an incident onboard the aircraft involving a woman crew member.

Mamoepa said: "A case against Barnes could not be registered in London due to his diplomatic status. This led to a case of sexual assault being registered in South Africa by the crew member involved in the incident," he said.

The case was heard in the Kempton Park Magistrates Court where Barnes was found guilty and sentenced to six months imprisonment, or a fine of R3000.
In her judgment, the magistrate reiterated that aircrew members must be protected against abuse in the confined environment in which they work.

There should be a way to blacklist these kind of bastards worlwide, diplomat or not diplomat!

[Mig17pilot]

ahhh good thing my brother doesnt act this way ! he will be assigned to Vietnam Embassy in 1-04