Airport bomb hoaxer jailed for fake calls; Prankster thought it was 'funny' to spark alert.

Byline: By SOPHIE DOUGHTY

SERIAL hoaxer Shaun Stuart made fake 999 calls telling police he had planted bombs at North East airports.

Searches were carried out and security stepped up at Newcastle International Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport, after the teenage prankster made the calls for kicks.

The 18-year-old has now been jailed for 12-months after a court heard he told police he made the hoax calls because it was 'funny'.

And police chiefs have today criticised the attention seeker's actions, saying he could have put lives at risk.

Stuart, from Prince Consort Road in Bensham, Gateshead, used the same telephone box to make at least seven 999 calls over a period of 12 days, in March and April

On one occasion he told a 999 operator there were explosives at Durham Tees Valley Airport and on another he said a bomb had been planted at Northumbria Police's headquarters, in Ponte-land.

Newcastle International Airport was also put on high alert after Stuart made a call claiming to be a suicide bomber, and saying devices had been planted at the airport.

Rachel Curry, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said: "A call was made from a phonebox in Gateshead and the caller stated there were explosive devices at Durham Tees Valley Airport and he said he had a gun and he was going to assassinate the Prime Minister.

"On April 9 he made another call and said there was a bomb at the Northumbria Police headquarters.

"And on March 27 he made a call saying there were explosive devices at Newcastle Airport and that he had a bomb attached to himself.

"He was arrested and released on bail but he committed another matter saying there was a bomb at Newcastle Airport and that he was going to assassinate the President of the United States."

Stuart's threats were at first taken seriously by police, but they eventually recognised his voice and the phrases he used and realised they were all pranks.

Ms Curry added: "Initially it was taken seriously, checks were made at the airports and security was stepped up, but no passengers were evacuated and no flights were delayed.

"When charged he said, 'I'm glad I did it because I think it's funny'."

Stuart pleaded guilty to two charges of communicating false information with intent and asked for five others to be taken into consideration.

At the time the offences were committed, Stuart was subject to a community order after being convicted of a bomb hoax in 2006.

Chris Mitford, defending, said: "Mr Stuart does demonstrate genuine remorse. It's clear his understanding of the seriousness of these offences was limited."

In sentencing Stuart to 12 months in prison, Judge Timothy Hewitt said: "You are a nuisance and quite frankly it's time you learned this behaviour has consequences."

Supt Derek Scott, from Northumbria Police, said: "Any malicious call which prevents officers from helping people in genuine need can potentially put lives at risk.

"We take hoax calls very seriously and will prosecute when we have the necessary evidence."

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NUISANCE: Hoax caller Shaun Stuart