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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Two men on their way to their jobs at an NWT diamond mine have each been fined $450 and sentenced to two days time served after they were unruly and disruptive on a flight.

A 41-year-old man and his 19-year-old nephew were intoxicated when they began conversing loudly and using vulgar language on an Air Canada Jazz flight to Saskatoon from Winnipeg Jan. 3, said Crown prosecutor Warren Holmes.

Holmes said the men refused to quiet down despite repeated requests from flight attendants and were arrested upon arrival by Saskatoon police. They were charged with causing a disturbance under the Criminal Code.

The men entered guilty pleas on different dates and were sentenced in absentia - the younger man on Feb. 22, the elder man on March 7.

After spending two nights in custody, the men had to explain their delay to their employer, said defence attorney Lisa Watson, adding that she believed both men are still employed.

Watson said Air Canada requested a letter of apology from at least the younger offender as a prerequisite for allowing him to fly with the airline again. Both men were also charged a $50 victim surcharge fee.

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