An Australian man, Hawkins Kevin Francis, has been charged with making false threats of terrorist acts after allegedly uttering “I have a bomb” and repeatedly saying “bomb” on a Perth-bound Scoot flight that was subsequently forced to turn back to Singapore. The incident caused significant disruption and involved a massive response from authorities.
Charges and Allegations
Hawkins Kevin Francis, a 30-year-old Australian man, was charged with making false threats of terrorist acts following his arrest. The charges stem from an incident that occurred on a Scoot flight bound for Perth.
According to court documents, at around 4.30 pm on the day of the incident, Francis allegedly told one cabin crew member, “I have a bomb,” and repeatedly uttered the word “bomb” to another crew member.
The police were alerted to the alleged bomb threat at about 4.55 pm on that same day while the flight, TR16, was en route from Singapore to Perth.
Response and Investigation
Preliminary investigations revealed that Francis had repeatedly informed cabin crew members during the flight that he was in possession of a bomb. In response to the threat, the plane was forced to turn back to Singapore and was escorted by Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) fighter aircraft.
The flight landed safely at Changi Airport at 6.26 pm. To ensure the safety of all passengers and crew, officers from the Airport Police Division and Special Operations Command’s K-9 Unit were mobilized to investigate the bomb threat.
Due to the heightened security measures required for flight TR16, there was a delay of more than five hours before the nine crew members and 362 passengers disembarked in Singapore at approximately 9.19 pm. The flight eventually departed for Perth at 11.41 pm.
Following investigations, the bomb threat was determined to be false.
Legal Implications and Consequences
Hawkins Kevin Francis has been remanded at the Institute of Mental Health for a medical examination, and the case is scheduled to be heard again on October 27.
Under Singaporean law, if a crime occurs on a Singapore-controlled aircraft flying outside the country, the offender can be charged with the offense under Singaporean laws. If found guilty, the offender can face penalties of up to 10 years in jail, a fine of up to SGD 500,000, or both.
Serious Consequences for False Threats
The police emphasized their commitment to taking security threats seriously and underlined the potential consequences for those who make false threats. They noted that beyond causing fear and inconvenience to the public, such actions also incur significant costs in deploying public resources to deal with the incidents.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining security and safety measures on flights and the serious repercussions individuals may face for making false threats.
Also learn about Man Arrested for Alleged Bomb Threat on Scoot Flight Bound for Perth.
