Chef attacked fiancée and grabbed her in a chokehold in front of four-year-old son in an airport

A chef attacked his fiancée and grabbed her in a chokehold in front of their four-year-old son in an airport after downing vodka during a flight back to the UK. 

Tibor Tornyai, 27, flew into a rage and attacked Petra Rumplikova on a walkway after earlier drinking four miniature bottles of the spirit on the plane to Manchester from Slovakia.

Staff had to separate the pair as Tornyai grabbed Miss Rumplikova by the neck and lifted her off the ground. The little boy tried to intervene but ran away in fright as his father continued the assault.

It later emerged Tornyai, of Harphurhey, Manchester, had been on a trip to see family in Slovakia over Christmas and to celebrate his birthday, but had been brooding over a burglary at his home two weeks earlier in which his house was stripped of their possessions.

Despite the assault Miss Rumplikova is standing by him and the pair are due to marry.

At Manchester magistrates court, Tornyai admitted assault and was ordered to complete two rehabilitation programmes entitled ‘Healthy Relationships’ and ‘Responsible Me’ as part of a 12 month community order.

He will also have to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.

Tibor Tornyai, 27, (pictured) flew into a rage and attacked Petra Rumplikova on a walkway after earlier drinking four miniature bottles of the spirit on the plane to Manchester from Slovakia

The incident took place on New Year’s Eve last year as the couple and their son were walking along the ‘Blue Tube’ Corridor in Terminal One to pick up their luggage.

Prosecutor Miss Leigh Morgan said: ‘The crown says this is more serious harm because of the touching of the area around the throat and neck. 

‘He lifted the female off the ground. It’s aggravated further that this was in a domestic relationship. The four-year-old child was present throughout and runs away at various stages.

‘The defendant did make full admissions and there was genuine remorse during his interview. His partner did not support a prosecution. He was very teary during the police interview. He accepted that he had totally lost it and drank far too much alcohol.’

In mitigation defence lawyer Miss Rebecca Clarke said: ‘When I spoke to Mr Tornyai and showed the CCTV of the incident, he said it was like watching somebody else. He said alcohol had an effect on him, but he is not trying to use that as an excuse for his behaviour.’

Probation officer Humayun Shouib told the hearing: ‘He returned to England knowing there was nothing and the emotional impact was on his mind. 

‘He began to argue with his partner, resulting in the commission of the offences. He can’t remember what brought on the argument but regrets his behaviour.

‘He said he didn’t realise that his child was there. However, on the CCTV, the child does go up to the defendant and touch him. The defendant does look down at him and then subjected his partner to ongoing physical violence.

The attack took place on New Year’s Eve on a walkway at Manchester Airport (pictured)

‘They are planning to get married soon. The partner did not want to pursue the complaint and their relationship has very much improved. There’s been nothing prior or since.’

Tornyai will also have to pay £180 in costs and surcharges.