Man banned from flying abroad after flight havoc

"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. The defendant's 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 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."

Simon Jones, 51, became agitated on a US-to-London flight on 23 May, shouting, swearing and pacing the cabin. He had bipolar disorder and had not been taking his medication. He demanded a glass and swore at cabin staff, repeatedly walked to the toilet and then shouted and swore at the passenger beside him, prompting that passenger to ask to move seats. He sat on the emergency slide door, argued with crew and began shouting at other passengers. The captain ordered no more alcohol and authorised restraint. He was handcuffed to his seat, admitted using threatening or abusive words towards crew, threatened a nearby passenger and required checks every 15 minutes. He has been banned from flying abroad.

Read at www.bbc.com