A MAN has been jailed for threatening to be in possession of a bomb at Prestwick Airport.

Marian Vasile made out to airport security that he had a bomb concealed in a gift bag while he was hanging about after his flight. He became abusive to staff who quickly became suspicious on March 7.

The 32-year-old, originally from Romania appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court last week with an interpretor as he does not speak English, and was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail.

Depute Fiscal Lynda Carnochan told the court that around 6.30pm the accused arrived at Prestwick Airport. He was observed to be loitering in the concourse area and had in his possession a blue gift bag.

Staff lost sight of him at one point before he was spotted again, still with the gift bag, but a few minutes later he reappeared without it.

Officers grew suspicious of Vasile and eventually approached him with the gift bag they had now recovered and showed him their ID.

When the security officers tried talking to the nuisance he became abusive. Miss Carnochan added: “The accused was asked what was in the bag. The officers were alarmed when he replied ‘a bomb.’ Again they asked, and he replied ‘a bomb’. He was asked to show them and in the bag was a bottle of coke.”

Vasile was arrested and taken to Ayr Police Office where he was cautioned and charged. He has since been in custody.

On sentencing, Sheriff Desmond Leslie told him his clowning around had gotten him into trouble and bomb threats would never be taken lightly, especially in an airport where security is tense.

Sheriff Leslie told Vasile: “These places are always in a state of high alert as you now know. Any attempts of humour don’t go down too well.”

The offence was backdated.