Man fined for threatening to bomb airport over car hire trouble

A MAN who threatened to bomb Edinburgh Airport in retaliation for difficulty in hiring a car has been fined £300.

Andrew Purdy, 47, made the threat after losing his temper with staff at the premises of the Hertz rental company in Picardy Place, Edinburgh, on 20 October, 2008.

Purdy of Stanhope Place, Wishaw, pled guilty at the city's Sheriff Court last month to committing a breach of the peace by threatening to bomb the airport. Sentence was deferred until today for background reports. Sheriff Isabella McColl heard that there was a psychiatric background.

Purdy had booked a car from the company through the internet and when he arrived at the depot was told he needed to pay the full amount for the hire. Fiscal Depute, Graham Fraser, said there was "difficulty" with his credit card.

Purdy, he added, became somewhat upset and demanded a refund of his deposit.

Staff tried to explain they would have to contact their manager, who was at the airport branch. Following this, they told him there would be a full refund, but it would be sent directly to his bank account.

Mr Fraser said Purdy told them: "Tell your manager there will be a bomb at the airport tonight and people will be killed". He then left.

The staff were very alarmed and contacted the police. The airport was also alerted and a bomb assessment carried out.

Purdy was interviewed some time later and at first denied making the threat, but later admitted it. The Fiscal added: "I think it is fair to say the accused, appeared to the police, to have some issues and there was concern for his well-being".