Vinnie handed community service for 'air rage' attack

Vinnie Jones, the footballer turned actor, has been ordered to do 80 hours of community service after admitting air rage charges. He was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to Stephen Driscoll, the passenger he admitted assaulting on board a flight from London to Tokyo on May 31.

Jones was fined another £500 for using threatening words or behaviour towards the cabin crew and was ordered to pay a further £300 in costs. A statement read out on Jones's behalf said: "He regrets the incident deeply and pleaded guilty to both counts."

Uxbridge Magistrates' court heard that Jones slapped Mr Driscoll more than 10 times around the face and head after the passenger told the former footballer that he was being annoying during a flight to Tokyo in May.

Jones, 38, of Tring, Hertfordshire, admitting to the assault and to using threatening words or behaviour towards members of an air crew. Ms Gillian Travers, prosecuting, said Jones had been drinking and his behaviour became boorish. Jones told Mr Driscoll: "I am going to have you killed," the court heard.

After being calmed, Jones, who appeared in the film Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, was allegedly angered again when Mr Driscoll shook his head. Jones then told staff: "Go and do what you are paid to do and make the coffee." As passengers and air crew tried to restrain him, Jones declared: "I can get the whole crew murdered for £3,000." Jones said he would carry out the community punishment "with grace".