The pilot of a plane which crashed and injured Ukip leader Nigel Farage during an election day stunt was told by a judge to expect a suspended sentence for making threats to kill.

Justin Adams, 46, from Buckland, near Faringdon, was due to be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court, but his case was adjourned for further reports to be made.

The crash on May 6 2010, in which the light aircraft nose-dived to the ground while towing a campaign banner, left both Adams and Mr Farage in hospital.

Adams was found guilty on April 14 by a jury of five counts of making threats to kill relating to Mr Farage and Civil Aviation Authority crash investigator Martin James after a three-day trial.

He has been in custody since the end of the trial.

Judge Mr Justice Saunders was asked by Alistair Grainger, defending, if the case could be adjourned while a report concerning the defendant's problem with alcohol is compiled, and the judge agreed.

The judge said an assessment needed to take place to find out if a treatment programme for alcohol should be a term of a suspended sentence order.

He told Adams: "I have already given the indication that I will pass a suspended sentence of imprisonment. However, things can change if I hear about any more threats."

Adams was remanded in custody until June 10, when he will be sentenced at Oxford Crown Court.

Mr Farage did not attend court.