BA bomb hoax steward faces prison sentence
A British Airways steward who brought terror to a passenger flight from Tokyo to London when he left a message on a toilet door of the aircraft claiming there was a bomb onboard may escape a prison sentence after pleading guilty to the offence.
Matthew Davis, aged 22, has been released on conditional bail after pleading guilty to a charge of communicating false information with intent at Isleworth Crown Court on May 10.
The court heard that the message, on a flight in February, stated the bomb would explode at 4pm. It was found by a member of the cabin crew in mid-flight, but the plane landed safely at Heathrow where Davis was arrested.
The court heard that Davis had a history of highly unusual, attention seeking acts, which his defence blamed on him losing his mother when he was a child.
Judge Anna Guggenheim warned Davis that he could be punished with a prison sentence but she said this would not prevent him from doing something similar in the future.
Sentencing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be prepared and for further psychological assessment.
BA said Davis, who was suspended following his arrest, no longer works for the airline. It declined to say whether it would be tightening its recruitment process following the case.
By Linsey McNeill
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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