Briton charged with assaulting crew after Virgin flight diverted to Utah

A Virgin Atlantic plane had to be diverted (Hannah McKay/PA)

A British man on a flight from London to Los Angeles grabbed a passenger seated in front of him by the throat and tried to hit and bite him, prompting the diversion of the flight to Utah, US authorities said.

William Hayes, 39, was arrested after the Virgin Atlantic flight landed on Tuesday in Salt Lake City. He was charged with assault and interfering with the flight crew, the US Attorney’s Office in Utah said.