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.”