Airport bomb joke on Easter Sunday earns man two-year conditional discharge

A man in his 50s was handed a two-year conditional discharge after telling airport staff he had a bomb in his suitcase while checking in at Malta International Airport on Easter Sunday.

Appearing before Magistrate Jean Paul Grech, the man, whose identity is protected by court order, admitted the charges. He told the court that the comment had been made in jest, with no intention to cause harm.

The prosecution emphasised the gravity of making such remarks within an airport environment.

The court noted that the statement had caused no disruption to scheduled flights or airport operations and had been made without malicious intent.

The magistrate warned the man about the gravity of such remarks.

The court said that in times of global conflict and heightened security, such jokes are unacceptable and a clear message must be sent that they will not be tolerated.

In light of these circumstances, the court ruled that a two-year conditional discharge was appropriate.

Inspector Roxanne Tabone prosecuted the case, while lawyer Zack Esmail represented the accused.