Man cleared in ‘crackers’ flight trial

A 42-year-old American man prosecuted over the emergency diversion of an aircraft in June last year has been found not guilty.

Jeremiah Mathis Thede was accused of acting in a manner likely to negligently endanger an aircraft. Jurors took less than an hour to find the Californian innocent.

The United Airlines flight from Rome to Chicago landed in Belfast after crew became concerned.