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BA Passenger Sentenced to Community Order and Six-Month Travel Ban After Abusive LAXHeathrow Flight

The court heard he has bipolar disorder with missed medication cited as mitigation.

Overview

  • Simon Jones, 51, was restrained with handcuffs on the May 23 British Airways flight after shouting profanities and issuing threats.
  • The captain stopped alcohol service to him as he paced the aisle, argued with passengers and crew, and sat on a door section linked to the emergency slide.
  • Crew checked on him every 15 minutes under captain’s orders, which significantly disrupted duties and meant breakfast was not served.
  • Police boarded at Heathrow and arrested him; he had previously admitted offences including threatening behaviour and interfering with crew duties.
  • Judge Kathryn Verghis imposed a 12-month community order with 150 hours’ unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days, a six-month ban on international travel, and payments of £400 costs, a £114 surcharge and £150 compensation.