BRITAIN: The English actor and former soccer player Vinnie Jones yesterday admitted assaulting an airline passenger and drunkenly claiming he could have a flight crew "murdered for £3,000".
Jones became enraged on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow to Tokyo on May 31st, when fellow passenger Mr Stephen Driscoll told him he was being "annoying", sparking a tirade of "frightening" threats.
The former Wimbledon player slapped Mr Driscoll 10 times and repeatedly asked whether people on the aircraft knew who he was, Uxbridge Magistrates Court heard. Jones (38), Tring, Hertfordshire, was given 80 hours community service after admitting assault and using threatening words or behaviour towards members of an air crew.
A third charge of being drunk on an aircraft was withdrawn. Jones was ordered to pay Mr Driscoll £300 compensation, as well as being fined £500 and being further ordered to pay £300 costs.
In a statement read outside the court on Jones's behalf, the star said that he "regretted the incident deeply". Jones, who has appeared in hit films such as Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, also said he would carry out the community punishment "with grace". Jones became known as one of soccer's tough guys while playing in midfield for a host of clubs as well as appearing for Wales. - (PA)