KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 19 ― A man who downed five double-shot whiskies during the London-bound Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight carrying Mayor Boris Johnson earlier this month has admitted to drunken assault.

According to UK daily The Guardian, the man, David Morris, had become increasingly disruptive during the flight and even hurt a MAS cabin crew member when attempts were made to calm him down.

In a UK magistrate court, prosecutor Izolda Switala-Gribbin said Morris was travelling in the first class cabin from Kuala Lumpur to London and had “bought approximately five double whiskies” during the December 3 flight.

Morris, 43, reportedly became disruptive after chugging the drinks and began pacing up and down the aircraft, besides demanding more alcohol.

“At some point he was told he would not be served any more alcohol and that’s when he started swearing and his behaviour became a lot more disruptive.

“He was offered some water by a member of the cabin crew. While drinking the water, he pulled back the glass and let go of the glass and tried to punch it.

“He missed it but nearly hit a member of staff in the process,” Switala-Gribbin was quoted saying yesterday by the UK paper.

When MAS crew member Johari Nordin attempted to restrain Morris, the latter gave him a headbutt.

“Mr [Johari] Nordin was asked to assist in the restraining of the defendant and as he was trying to place plastic handcuffs on the defendant, the defendant headbutted him. He was shocked and sustained swelling to his upper lips.

“When Mr Morris was eventually restrained he kept falling asleep and waking up, and each time he woke up he would scream,” the prosecutor said.

Yesterday, Morris pleaded guilty to being drunk and committing assault by beating, with his lawyer Lance Whiteford saying that he did not remember the events on the flight but is “absolutely horrified” about it.

“He knows that staff, when carrying out their duties, should feel safe and do it without being abused or threatened. He has no recollection of this flight. He accepts he behaved the way alleged and he is absolutely horrified,” Whiteford said.

The prosecution had reportedly dropped a third charge of behaving in a threatening, abusive or insulting manner towards a member of the crew in an aircraft, The Guardian said. Morris will be sentenced on January 16.

Johnson's spokesman had said the mayor and other passengers on the MAS flight had tried to calm Morris but were unsuccessful, with five male crew members eventually managing to restrain the man in his seat.

Morris was arrested by London police upon arrival, while the MAS crew later received praise for the manner in which they handled the situation.

Johnson was taking the flight home after a six-day regional tour to promote bilateral trade and investment, which included a stop in Malaysia.