The Briton who typed on his laptop the words “I will blow this plane to pieces” when he was on his way to Malta was given a three-year conditional discharge yesterday.
Maximilian Adam Normile, 27, pleaded guilty to threatening to commit a crime and maliciously alarming the public. The man, a computer programmer, was coming to Malta to address a conference.
The court heard how the accused, on an Air Malta flight from Heathrow, typed in a large font on his laptop his name, followed by “R.I.P.” and the words, “if I am not reported, I will blow this plane to pieces on the way back”.
The man told the police it was a “cry for attention” because he was angry, sad and lonely.
The passenger sitting next to Normile was shocked and told a member of the cabin crew what he had seen. The captain was eventually informed and he ordered the crew to monitor the man’s movements for the rest of the flight.
Taking the stand, Captain Eric Cordina said that there was no commotion on the aircraft. “Only the passenger who reported Normile, her son and a former colleague of mine who happened to be seated behind them were aware of what was happening,” he said.
The captain added that Normile fell asleep for the remainder of the flight and caused no further problems.
Air Malta’s Chief of Security Alphonse Cauchi also testified and said that the company told the police that it was not asking for further legal action to be taken against the man.
The accused also took the stand but his deposition was taken behind closed doors because he spoke about personal issues that may have explained his behaviour.
Handing down judgment, the court ordered that all security measures be taken during Normile’s return journey to the UK. Presiding magistrate Lawrence Quintano took the opportunity to warn people of the “serious consequences of any form of misbehavior, be it a joke, a hoax or because of personal problems.” He quoted the relevant articles of the law that speak of threats being made and the punishment they carry.
Inspectors Jeffrey Cilia and Angelo Caruana prosecuted.
Dr George Said and Dr Edward Zammit Lewis appeared for the accused.