The air steward who became a minor celebrity after he swore at passengers, deployed the emergency escape chute and leapt out of a plane has pleaded guilty to the charge of attempted criminal mischief. Stephen Slater admitted that he was an adult and as such was responsible for his own actions.

The 39-year-old grabbed the attention of the media after the JetBlue flight he was working on landed at New York’s JFK on 9 August. After an altercation with one of the airline’s passengers Mr Slater vented his anger at other passengers over the plane’s intercom before grabbing some beers and making his dramatic exit. He was later apprehended by the authorities.

In a New York court, Judge Patricia Hirsch heard Mr Slater plead guilty to the felony of second-degree criminal mischief and the misdemeanour of fourth-degree attempted criminal mischief. The former steward was told he would have to get treatment for substance abuse as well as counselling for a year.

If he can prove to the court that he has completed his treatment, the felony charge will be dropped. However, if he does not show sufficient commitment he could face between one and three years behind bars.

On the steps of the courthouse, Mr Slater said he wanted to thank his partner, his mother, the prosecution and his attorney. He added that the media interest surrounding his escapade had been somewhat surprising. His face appeared on television screens, in newspapers and on websites around the world following the incident.