Disruptive airline passenger released from hospital with warning
Robert Hughes won't be charged with a crime for causing flight to turn back to HK
A British man who was diagnosed with schizophrenia after his erratic behaviour forced a London-bound Virgin Atlantic flight to return to Hong Kong this month has been released.
He received a warning, but no charges have been laid against Robert Hughes, 25, from Liverpool, whose family said he would fly home in the coming days to receive full medical attention.
"This is absolutely brilliant news. It's a massive, massive relief for all," brother Peter Hughes, 26, told the Post.
"It's not completely over - we have to get him home - this is a big hurdle done with and it's now just getting him home to his family. He'll feel better then," he added.
Robert Hughes felt bored in hospital and it was "not the best environment to be stuck in 24/7," his brother said. He was diagnosed at Princess Margaret Hospital in Kwai Chung.
The family praised hospital staff and the standard of healthcare. They also thanked the police for the speed in dealing with the case and the handling of the sensitive matter.
"We sought the Department of Justice's advice, and the British man was released," a police spokeswoman said.