too much Paxil/Seroxat: British diplomat accused of threatening to kill a plane'

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Tue, 24 Jan 2006 21:18:20 -0500

[sSRI-Research] too much Paxil/Seroxat: British diplomat

accused of threatening to kill a plane's cabin crew and passengers

 

 

 

 

" The former army helicopter pilot told the jury he had been suffering

from stress following the tsunami and that he had accidentally taken

too much of the prescribed drug Seroxat which he was taking for

depression. "

 

 

--

 

 

Diplomat cleared over 'air rage'

A British diplomat accused of threatening to kill a plane's cabin crew

and passengers has been cleared of being drunk on an aircraft.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4644022.stm

Colonel Peter Roberts MBE, the former British defence attache in

Thailand, was cleared at Isleworth Crown Court.

 

The 51-year-old, of Passfield, Hampshire, had denied the charge.

 

It was claimed during the six-day trial that the father-of-three had

gone on a drunken rampage in business class on a flight from Abu Dhabi

to Heathrow.

 

Prescribed drug

 

Col Roberts eventually had to have his hands and feet bound with

plastic ties to subdue him during the flight on 17 February.

 

He had been heavily involved in trying to identify British victims of

the tsunami in Thailand and was on his way back to London to give a

briefing on the disaster to colleagues in the Ministry of Defence and

Foreign Office.

 

The former army helicopter pilot told the jury he had been suffering

from stress following the tsunami and that he had accidentally taken

too much of the prescribed drug Seroxat which he was taking for

depression.

 

The officer told the jury he had no memory of his behaviour on the plane.

 

After the not guilty verdict, Col Roberts' defence made an application

for costs which was refused by Judge Usha Karu.

 

'Chronic stress'

 

The judge said: " I took a view when I heard the evidence that the

defendant had consumed alcohol to an extent which was excessive and

having done so knowing he was also on antidepressants he brought the

matter on himself and I am not minded to allow the application for

defence costs. "

 

His defence costs are expected to run into thousands of pounds.

 

The colonel 's solicitor, Look Chih Wang, issued a statement on his

behalf, saying: " His behaviour was due to a temporary abnormality of

function caused by long-term chronic stress, tsunami-related

post-traumatic stress, sleep deprivation and a combination of the

antidepressant Seroxat and alcohol.

 

" Col Roberts had been advised by his doctor that he could drink in

moderation whilst taking Seroxat and has maintained his innocence

throughout these proceedings.

 

" Although Col Roberts has been acquitted he nevertheless wishes to

apologise to all those who were affected by his behaviour and offended

by his remarks. "

 

Story from BBC NEWS:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/4644022.stm

 

Published: 2006/01/24 15:04:47 GMT

 

© BBC MMVI