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Houston-Bound Plane Lands In Boston After Man Allegedly Assaults Woman

BOSTON (CBS) – A flight traveling from London to Houston landed in Boston just after noon on Wednesday after a man from England allegedly assaulted the woman he was traveling with mid-air.

Two Massachusetts State Police vehicles pulled up to the gate after the British Airways flight arrived at Logan Airport.

Darren Halliwell, 46, of Aspull, a village in England's Greater Manchester County, was taken into police custody.

British Airways Assault
Police were called to the gate after a British Airways flight landed at Logan Airport. (WBZ-TV)

"Our customers and crews deserve to enjoy their flights, and not to suffer any form of abuse," British Airways said in a statement.

"This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and the Captain took the decision to divert the aircraft to Boston as a precaution. The matter will now be handled by the police and we hope the flight can continue on its way to Houston as soon as possible."

After Halliwell was arrested, the plane continued on to Houston with the woman still on board.

Halliwell is scheduled to be arraigned on Thursday in East Boston District Court.

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