A businessman has denied sexually assaulting an air steward and attacking other cabin crew after a vodka binge on a flight from Dubai.

Murad Sabir, 42, was arrested on the tarmac at Heathrow after the eight hour British Airways flight on November 5 last year.

Sabir, of Rochdale, Greater Manchester, denied one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault by beating today at Isleworth Crown Court.

However, he admitted one count of entering an aircraft when drunk. He must now wait two and a half years to stand trial.

The court had previously heard that Sabir had grabbed the breast of a flight attendant and put his arm around her neck after drinking vodka throughout the journey.

Another member of staff was allegedly grabbed by the back of the head and a third said they were 'hugged'.

Passengers sought to intervene but one described feeling that Sabir would 'punch him', the hearing had been told.

Rene de Silva, prosecuting, earlier said: 'The defendant was on board drinking vodka throughout the flight. 

'He was intoxicated and committed all the other offences fuelled by his intoxication.'

The prosecutor continued: 'The sexual assault is touching of the breast of one of the cabin crew over their clothing.

'He touches her breast and puts his arm around her neck.

'He has then grabbed another cabin crew member by the back of the head and another cabin crew member describes witnessing the sexual assault of their colleague.

'Another cabin crew member refers to being hugged by the defendant.'

After panicked passengers tried to intervene, one felt 'the defendant was going to punch him', the prosecutor added.

Sabir was released on unconditional bail ahead of his trial on 7 August 2028.