YouTuber faces lengthy jail term over Newcastle International Airport bomb ‘prank’

On Monday, July 3, online prankster Garard Ndela was arrested just minutes after turning up at Newcastle International Airport.

The 19-year-old recorded himself in the terminal building walking past the check-in desks and claiming to have an explosive device.

He was intending to upload the footage to his YouTube channel but he was quickly interrupted by security staff and officers from Northumbria Police.

Ndela, of Ellison Villas in Gateshead, was taken into police custody and subsequently charged.

He appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, July 5, where he pleaded guilty to communicating false information about a bomb hoax.

Ndela was remanded in custody until August 2, when he is due to be sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Steve Byrne, the investigating officer, hopes that this will serve as a warning to anyone who thinks behaviour like Ndela’s is acceptable.

He said: “Carrying out a prank of this nature at an airport is an incredibly stupid thing to do and can come with a jail term of up to seven years.

“Ndela planned his controversial skit and was naïve enough to believe he could get away with it unchallenged. However, this reckless behaviour is in fact a criminal offence and not something the criminal justice system takes lightly.

Read South Tyneside’s news on the go with our free email newsletters - bringing the headlines to your inbox. Catch up on the day’s news and sport and enjoy even more from your Gazette. Visit our website here to find out more and sign up.

“I have no doubt that his appalling actions will have alarmed staff and caused unnecessary distress to passengers and visitors – it is only right that he was detained and arrested.

“The fact he has pleaded guilty and admitted his actions in court speaks volumes and I hope our communities know we take these type of offences incredibly seriously.

“As the summer months approach, our airports and transport hubs will continue to get busier and see more people passing though and we will be working hard with our partners at Counter Terrorism Policing, the UK Border Force and airport security staff to ensure everyone has as smooth a journey as possible.”