Virgin flyer arrested after bomb threat to cabin crew in Adelaide

AN EXCITED first-time flyer delayed a Perth-bound flight after telling cabin crew not to touch his bag of weapons and bombs, a court has heard.

While living on the streets in Melbourne for a year Jason Brown, 39, saved his disability pension to buy flights back to his home state of Western Australia.

But, Brown was arrested while his connecting Virgin Blue flight from Adelaide to Perth was preparing for take-off about 7pm on Monday night.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court today heard Brown was "jumping around, fidgeting and closely approaching the cabin crew and cabin manager".

Anna Brebner, prosecuting, told the court that when asked to move his bag, Brown said: "leave it there mate, it's got weapons and bombs in it".

"Ground crew were called onto the aircraft to escort him from it," she said.

Ms Brebner said the 125 passengers aboard the plane were delayed.

Stephen Law, for Brown, said his client had been unemployed and "living rough" in Melbourne before deciding to fly for the first time back home to "be with his parents" in WA.

He said he had a couple of drinks which had reduced his inhibitions and "inflated his excitement for returning home after all these years".

"It's the sort of joke which has well and truly been brought home to him," Mr Law said.

"It's the sort of thing that should not have been said in this current international climate."

He said Brown would again have to save for another flight to Perth.

In imposing penalty, Magistrate Joseph Baldino said Brown's threats may have been empty, but serious.

"It is certainly not a trivial threat by any imagination."

He fined Brown $3250 and ordered he pay court and prosecution costs.

source:  http://news.com.au