A 51-year-old man has been prohibited from traveling abroad due to his disruptive behavior on a flight from the United States to London Heathrow.

Simon Jones, residing in Willington, Bedfordshire, was handcuffed after exhibiting erratic behavior by shouting, cursing, and walking up and down the aisle during the flight on May 23, as reported in court.

His actions were described as “entirely out of character” by his lawyer, who informed Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court that he suffers from bipolar disorder and had been off his medication during the incident.

Jones pleaded guilty in an earlier hearing to charges related to making threatening, abusive, or insulting remarks towards a crew member.

On Monday, the court was told that Jones became “restless” and began “clapping” and speaking very loudly during the safety briefing, as noted by a fellow passenger.

Prosecutor Ashleigh Ettienne explained that cabin crew approached Jones to address his misconduct, but he escalated his swearing at the staff while requesting a glass for his beverage.

Further into the flight, he repeatedly got up to use the restroom and started “shouting and swearing” at the passenger beside him, leading that individual to request a seat change, according to court testimony.

“The captain directed that Mr. Jones should not receive any additional alcohol,” Ms. Ettienne stated, noting that he became “enraged, gritting his teeth and pacing through the cabin.”

Jones later sat on the door connected to the emergency slide, disregarding instructions not to do so, and engaged in arguments with a crew member.

He proceeded to yell at other passengers, prompting the captain to authorize his restraint, as explained by the prosecution.

Ms. Ettienne added, “He was then secured to his seat with handcuffs.”

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

During the flight, Jones required monitoring every 15 minutes, which “significantly hampered” the crew’s ability to serve other passengers, the prosecution noted.

Defense attorney Gurbinder Tamana remarked that Jones “does indeed suffer from bipolar disorder” and highlighted that he has not committed further offenses since the incident.

She indicated that he had consumed just one alcoholic drink. “At that time in his life, he was experiencing difficulties… he mentioned he was not adhering to his medication regimen,” Ms. Tamana explained. “He now has new medication prescribed and is currently employed in a bar.”

Jones had previously acknowledged using threatening, abusive, or insulting language towards a crew member, behaving in a threatening, abusive, insulting, or disorderly manner, intentionally disrupting a crew member’s duties, and causing harassment, alarm, or distress through his words or behavior.

Judge Kathryn Verghis imposed a community order for 12 months on Jones, requiring him to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, attend 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days, prohibit him from international travel for six months, and pay £400 in costs, along with a surcharge of £114 and £150 compensation to the other passenger.

She stated, “The behavior exhibited throughout the flight was ongoing from the very start… your conduct towards a fellow passenger was absolutely unacceptable.”