Thorbjorn Olesen arrested: Ryder Cup golfer ‘sexually assaulted sleeping woman and urinated in plane aisle’ while drunk on flight
Danish professional golfer under investigation by police for allegedly molesting a female passenger while she was asleep on a flight from Memphis to London
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Professional golfer Thorbjorn Olesen has been arrested on suspicion of sexually assaulting a female passenger while she was asleep on a flight back to London.
The 29-year-old, a Ryder Cup golfer and current world No 62, allegedly molested the woman on a British Airways flight from Memphis to Heathrow while she was sleeping in first class, as well as being accused of urinating in the aisle of the aeroplane.
Olesen was also said to have been involved in an argument with other passengers after becoming verbally abusive, which required friend and fellow golfer Ian Poulter to intervene to calm the situation.
Poulter then went to sleep, according to his agent Paul Dunkley, when it is then alleged that Olesen continued to be a disruption on the flight and got himself involved in the further incidents.
Police were waiting at the flight’s arrival gate to take him in for questioning.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a 29-year-old man was arrested at Heathrow on Monday on suspicion of sexual assault, being drunk onboard an aircraft and failing to comply with the orders of cabin crew.
“He was taken into custody and subsequently released under investigation”.
Both Olesen and Poulter had competed at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in Memphis at the weekend and were making their way home together on the flight.
Speaking to The Sun, Poulter’s agent Mr Dunkley said that the Englishman has helped to calm a “slightly intoxicated” passenger, adding: “He (Poulter) then went to sleep and the first he knew of anything else was when the police were waiting at Heathrow.”
An eye-witness on the flight told The Sun: “He (Olesen) started abusing some of the passengers and crew and then made a pass at one of the female passengers before taking a leak in the aisle.
“It was shocking behaviour. You would expect it maybe on a budget airline but not in the first-class cabin on BA.’’
The Dane is also said to have been verbally abusive towards the cabin crew as they attempted to resolve the situation, and BA issued a statement to condemn any abuse of its staff by passengers.
A British Airways spokesman said: “Our customers and crews deserve to enjoy their flights, and not to suffer any form of abuse.
“This sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and the appropriate action will always be taken.”
The Independent has contacted Olesen for comment.