Police have said a United Airlines flight from Rome to Chicago was forced to divert to Northern Ireland due to a dispute after a passenger demanded more nuts.

The flight made an unscheduled landing in Belfast on Saturday.

Jeremiah Mathis Thede, 42, who holds dual Italian and American citizenship, was charged with endangering the safety of an aircraft, disruptive behaviour and common assault.

Police told Coleraine magistrates’ court on Monday that the trouble began soon after takeoff when Thede “asked to be given nuts or crackers”. He was given some nuts but later asked for more, and the situation escalated until the pilot became concerned about Thede’s erratic behaviour.

Thede’s lawyer said his client denies wrongdoing.

Many of the 282 passengers spent the night at Belfast airport before flying on to Chicago on Sunday.