Bomb-joke man offered a break

A Gisborne man arrested at Hamilton International Airport yesterday for joking there was a bomb in his luggage may avoid conviction.

The 44-year-old man appeared briefly in Hamilton District Court on a charge of using obscene language but was offered diversion by police. He was also granted interim name suppression by Community Magistrate Ngaire Mascelle.

The man was cautioned by airport security staff yesterday morning for leaving his luggage unattended in the airport terminal.

He responded by saying: "it's a bomb, can you hear it ticking?"

He told staff he was joking but police were called and he was arrested.

Defence counsel Michael Talbot yesterday sought interim name suppression for the defendant, saying the incident had the potential to be "blown out of proportion" and could severely impact the man's profession.

Ms Mascelle remanded the man on bail and said he would only be required to attend court if he failed diversion.

Graham Puryer, national operations manager of the Aviation Security Service, said people who made statements about bombs being in their bags were taken very seriously and were always referred to police.

Since 2004, about 43 warnings had been issued by police with the airline either standing the passenger down for a 24-hour period or refusing to carry them.

Sixteen people had been arrested and charged with passengers either fined or granted diversion.

If convicted people can face up to 12 months' prison or maximum $10,000 fine.

Acting Senior Sergeant Ricky Thompson of Hamilton police said anyone contemplating similar behaviour would be best advised to "keep their `jokes' to themselves".

- © Fairfax NZ News