A young, drunk British couple forced the captain of a plane to make an emergency landing in Malta yesterday following a heated row during which drugs were mentioned.

The Thomson flight was on its way to Mombasa, Kenya, carrying Matthew Michael Evans, 24, from Hertfordshire and his 23-year-old girlfriend among the passengers.

During a shouting match between the two, Mr Evans’ girlfriend was overheard by the cabin crew saying that he was carrying drugs. When the plane made an emergency landing in Malta at about 4 a.m. he was searched by the police and found to be carrying 18 grams of cannabis resin.

The couple were not allowed back on the plane and the plane left at 6 p.m. last night with the couple still here.

During his arraignment yesterday, Mr Evans pleaded guilty to simple possession and told Magistrate Claire Stafrace Zammit that he wanted to leave Malta as soon as possible.

He was conditionally discharged for three years.

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