U.S. trial for UK air rage suspect

Mardell has denied the claims made against him

ORLANDO, United States -- A Briton accused of threatening to kill a passenger on a transatlantic flight and trying to open the plane's doors in midair has been indicted to face trial in the United States.

Victor Mardell, 57, from London, faces a possible 20-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $250,000 if found guilty.

The charges relate to an Air 2000 flight from Manchester, England, to Orlando, Florida, last Friday.

The criminal complaint, filed Saturday, says Mardell brought his own whiskey and consumed it during the flight.

When the plane was preparing to land, the complaint said: "Mardell became belligerent, threatened to kill a passenger, and attempted to open one of the doors of the aircraft."

After the plane landed, it said, he assaulted two flight attendants.

Mardell -- who was travelling to the U.S. for his son's wedding -- denied being drunk, aggressive or violent and described the claims as "absolutely stupid."