A Virgin Atlantic flight attendant from the UK was taken into custody following an incident where he allegedly pushed a teenage girl who he claimed had cut in line at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.
Keith Newman, aged 47 and a member of the airline’s crew, is facing accusations of pushing an 18-year-old at the Florida amusement park on February 20, resulting in her falling and spilling water on a friend.
According to reports, the altercation occurred when the girl supposedly bypassed Newman in the queue for the Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride, themed around the Disney character Princess Tiana from the movie “The Princess and the Frog.” Newman reportedly attempted to stop her by extending his arm and stating that there was a line.
The teenager alleged that when she tried to maneuver around him, Newman used both hands to push her back, causing her to stumble into her friend and accidentally spill water on herself. Despite the incident, she did not sustain any injuries and did not seek medical assistance.
Although Newman denied physically pushing the girl, her friend supported her account during police questioning. The friend claimed to have overheard Newman warning the girl about the queue before attempting to push her back with his arm.
Further statements from the friend indicated that the victim resisted Newman’s actions, prompting him to push her more forcefully with both hands. Newman, however, insisted that he merely extended his hand and that the girl walked into it.
Following an investigation, authorities found sufficient evidence to arrest Keith Richard Newman on a charge of battery. He was later released on £734 ($1,000) bail and returned to his residence in Lemington, Newcastle, where he resides with his partner, also an airline employee.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father condemned Newman’s behavior as “inexcusable,” emphasizing that physical contact, especially with someone significantly younger and of the opposite sex, should only occur in self-defense.
Expressing his disappointment in an interview, the father described his daughter as appearing younger than her age and emphasized that it was unacceptable for Newman to lay hands on a minor.