British teenager arrested over bomb fraud involving EasyJet fleeing Menorca by fighter jet appears in court after two nights in Spanish police cell – paying thousands
- A British teenager has been arrested on suspicion of making a false bomb threat
- He was arrested on landing and now faces a massive compensation bill
- The 18-year-old was taken by police to court in the Menorcan capital Mahon
- Were you on board the intercepted flight? Email [email protected]
The British teenager who was arrested on suspicion of making a false bomb threat on a packed easyJet plane was brought to court in a Spanish police cell after two nights.
The 18-year-old was taken to court this morning by two armed police officers in the Menorcan capital Mahon so he could be handed over to a judge for questioning.
The boy’s mother, who allegedly flew to Sunshine Island after hearing of her son’s arrest on Sunday, apparently waited for him at the entrance to the courtroom and was able to greet him before being ushered into the building.
The unnamed teenager allegedly wore the same blue shorts and green T-shirt in which he was arrested when flight EZY8303 landed in Menorca after receiving Spanish military jet escort.
Reports after he was detained said he could face a bill that could run into the thousands to cover the scramble of the Spanish Air Force F18 fighter jet and the police operation involving the mobilization of specialist officers and sniffer dogs around the to examine aircraft.
A British teenager arrested on suspicion of making a false bomb threat on a packed easyJet plane has been brought to court after two nights in a Spanish police cell
An EasyJet flight to Menorca was intercepted by Spanish fighter jets after an 18-year-old British holidaymaker allegedly made a bomb threat on board.
The tourist, who was apparently part of a group of friends who boarded the Gatwick flight, is now facing a potential fine of thousands.
The youngster was part of a group of friends who traveled to the Mediterranean holiday island for a celebration.
The alarm was raised when the easyJet plane was near the landing just before 5pm on Sunday. Video footage shows it being escorted by the Spanish fighter jet before it reached its destination.
A local Menorcan newspaper today claimed Scotland Yard and French police had detected the alleged bomb threat on an unidentified social network and alerted Spanish police.
The Spanish Civil Guard has not yet commented on the claim.
A spokesperson for the Burgerwag confirmed on Monday, before handing the teenager over to a judge after he was forced to exchange his holiday accommodation for two nights in a police cell: ‘The Burgerwag has an 18-year-old British citizen in arrested. as the alleged author of a public order crime in Mahon in Menorca.
‘The control tower at Menorca airport was warned on Sunday about a bomb threat on a plane en route from London to the island capital Mahon which was still in the air and close to the airport.
The teenager was arrested when he landed on the Mediterranean holiday island
Specialist sniffer dogs were brought to the plane to check the luggage after the alleged bomb threat
‘The threat was allegedly sent on a social media platform.
‘Once the aircraft landed, it was taken to an area away from the main terminal and other aircraft.
The Civil Guard organized a special operation that consisted of mobilizing bomb disposal experts as well as sniffer dogs and other officers who created a safe environment around the plane.
‘The passengers were put on board and established protocol was followed until the police could confirm that it was a false bomb threat and the responsible person was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses.
“They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation.”
Police sources confirmed before the teenager’s court appearance that he would probably have to pick up the page for the police operation if he was found guilty of any crime. Passengers were allegedly held on the tarmac for four hours while the plane was booked out.
The easyJet plane reportedly landed about half an hour late at 16:45 local time on Sunday. The incident apparently led to a Ryanair plane departing for London two and a half hours late.
Today’s court hearing took place behind closed doors as usual in Spain where only hearings are held in public.
The judge is expected to decide in the coming hours whether the detainee will be released on bail pending an expected ongoing criminal investigation. Local authorities did not comment on whether he could face a speedy trial.
- Were you on board the intercepted flight? Email [email protected]