An Indian computer engineer charged with groping women and intimidating and assaulting flight attendants on a British Airways flight from London to Philadelphia has been sentenced to 69 days in prison, the time he had already served.

Thirumurthy Nakka Boomaiah, who hails from Chennai, had pleaded guilty to interfering with work of flight attendants and is likely to be deported.

Boomaiah was arrested on March 21 on arrival at the Philadelphia international airport.

Initially question about his competence to stand trial was raised as during his first appearance before federal magistrate in Philadelphia, he had to be wrestled to the courtroom floor by marshals after he began to move toward a female clerk.

But later doctors examining him found capable to stand a trial.

The indictment charged that he was traveling on British Airways Flight Number 67 from London to Philadelphia when he assaulted and intimidated British Airways flight attendants and interfered with their duties.

He was strapped to his seat for the rest of the flight after became unruly and threw water at a flight attendant who tried to stop from groping female passengers.

His attorneys had described his behaviour in the plane as an aberration and said he had no history of mental illness.