Hermes heir Grabs Pilot's Crotch

[Mike Scott]

AN heir to French luxury goods empire Hermes had to be tied down on an Air France plane after fighting crew members and seizing the captain's crotch.

Mathias Guerrand-Hermes was arrested yesterday when the flight from Paris landed at JFK airport in New York. He was charged with "interference with a flight crew" and freed by a court after posting a $US50,000 ($77,000) bond.

Prosecutors allege Guerrand-Hermes, a member of the family behind the legendary handbags and scarfs brand, appeared drunk and was bothering passengers in the first class section of Air France flight 008.

When the captain intervened, Guerrand-Hermes "grabbed the captain's genital area", according to the complaint sheet.

He allegedly "attempted to punch the captain".

"At that point the defendant was tackled by the flight crew" who "were able to restrain the defendant ... with handcuffs and shackles." Finally, Guerrand-Hermes was tied to his seat.

Robert Nardoza, spokesman for the US Attorney's Office, said interfering with a crew carries a maximum sentence of 20 years prison.

However, "it's likely he'll face from zero to six months if he has no prior criminal record. Nobody was injured. Although he attempted to assault the pilot, the pilot was not injured," Mr Nardoza said.
The Hermes' press office said the matter was "completely private" and that Guerrand-Hermes does not work at the family firm.