A federal judge in Honolulu this week sentenced a Canadian criminal prosecutor to six months’ probation for attacking a passenger aboard an airline flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

The criminal complaint in the case stated that Richard Michael Bennett and his common-law wife appeared to be intoxicated on May 13 when boarding American Airlines Flight 297. While onboard, they allegedly consumed alcohol from bottles in their carry-on luggage and conducted themselves in an unruly manner.

Bennett, an Ontario resident, later told an FBI agent that he drank about four glasses of wine after leaving Ontario and before departing Los Angeles. On the flight, he recalled purchasing four bottles of vodka from a duty-free shop and drank a "good amount" of vodka with Sprite.

The victim said he was attacked after asking the couple, who had been holding loud conversations, to lower their voices.

Shortly before landing, Bennett allegedly struck the passenger’s throat with his right hand, using a chopping motion, the complaint said.

Another passenger restrained Bennett, and Bennett’s wife apologized for her husband’s actions.

The victim said he felt dizziness and nausea and experienced vomiting that lasted for two days.

Bennett told the FBI agent he was a criminal prosecutor with the Office of the Crown Prosecutor in Canada, and had planned to retire in July 2014.

While sentencing Bennett on Monday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard Puglisi also ordered him to pay restitution of $741.72 and a fine of $5,000.

Initially, Bennett was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury, which is punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Bennett accepted a plea agreement and pleaded guilty Aug. 25 to a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault.

Bennett was ordered to pay for his attorney’s fees because he did not qualify for court-appointed counsel.