A flight attendant told a court how a passenger became angry and swore at her when he was refused extra nuts and crackers.

A United Airlines flight from Rome to Chicago was diverted to Belfast International Airport last summer due to an alleged air rage incident which stemmed from a dispute between passenger Jeremiah Mathis Thede and flight attendant Lisa Hall.

While giving evidence in the Antrim Crown Court, Hall explained how Thede demanded to know her name when she would not comply with his request for additional snacks.

She said:

"He became very angry and he told me he could have all the f***ing peanuts and crackers he wanted."

Referring to the events which led to Thede's alleged outburst, Hall claimed that Thede came to the gallery area of the economy section shortly after take-off, when the seat belt light was on. He asked for peanuts and crackers which he received on that occasion. But when he returned a second time asking for more snacks, Ms Hall denied his request and told him that each passenger could only be given one snack.

Ms Hall said that Thede, a 42-year-old from California, then became enraged and pointed his finger at her face.

"I felt like my heart was pounding, that something wasn't right with him. He started shouting at me before I could even finish my sentence."

Council for Thede has said that his client denies swearing or pointing his finger during the conversation about the peanuts and crackers. 

The trial continues.