Man who caused havoc on flight from US is banned flying abroad

A 51-year-old man has been banned from flying abroad after causing havoc on a flight from the US to London Heathrow.

Simon Jones, of Willington in Bedfordshire, had to be handcuffed after shouting, swearing and pacing up and down the cabin during the flight on 23 May, a court heard.

His behaviour was “completely out of character”, according to his defence counsel who told Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court he suffered from bipolar disorder and had not been taking his medication at the time.

Jones admitted offences at a previous hearing including using threatening, abusive or insulting words towards a member of the crew of the aircraft.

The court heard on Monday that Jones became “agitated” and began “clapping” and “talking very loudly” during the pre-flight safety checks, according to the passenger next to him.

Ashleigh Ettienne, prosecuting, said that Jones was “approached and spoken to about his behaviour by cabin crew” but then started swearing at staff when demanding a glass for his drink.

Later in the flight he began getting up every few minutes to go to the toilet, then was “shouting and swearing at the passenger sat next to him”, she added.

The passenger next to him asked to move seats, the court heard.

“The captain ordered that Mr Jones [was] not to be given any more alcohol,” Ms Ettienne said, adding that he became “irate, gritting his teeth… pacing up and down the cabin”.

Jones then sat on the part of the door that was connected to the emergency slide and was told not to.

He began to argue with a member of crew.

He then started shouting at passengers, then the captain gave permission for Jones to be restrained, the prosecution said.

She said: “He was then restrained on to his seat using handcuffs.”

He shouted “Oi blonde boy loosen them cuffs or I’ll wrap them around your neck”, the court heard.

Jones had to be checked on every 15 minutes until the flight landed which “significantly impacted” the crew’s duties, including serving other passengers, the prosecution said.

Gurbinder Tamana, defending, said Jones “does suffer from bipolar” and added that he has not committed any further offences.

He told her he had one alcoholic drink, she said.

“During that time in his life he was having a difficult time… he states he wasn’t taking his medication as he should have,” said Ms Tamana.

“He has new medication that has been prescribed now. He’s working now as well and that’s in a bar.”

Jones previously admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words towards a member of the crew of the aircraft, behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting or disorderly manner towards a member of the crew of the aircraft, intentionally interfering with the performance by a member of the crew of the aircraft of the crew member’s duties and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Judge Kathryn Verghis sentenced Jones to a community order for 12 months, ordered him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, banned him from international travel for six months, and ordered him to pay £400 in costs, and well as a surcharge of £114 and £150 to the other passenger.

She said: “The incident in itself was sustained from the very start of the flight… your behaviour towards a fellow passenger was completely unacceptable.”