Sheriff stands trial for terrifying passengers

An airline passenger terrified fellow passengers by referring to a bomb on board the aircraft, a court has heard.

An airline passenger terrified fellow passengers by referring to a bomb on board the aircraft, a court has heard.

It was alleged that on a flight from Edinburgh to Stornoway Raj Jandoo, a part-time sheriff, said loudly on his mobile phone: "Everybody is looking at me as if I have a bomb on board."

Roger Mackay, 26, another passenger, said he was "very concerned" when Mr Jandoo got out of his seat and opened the overhead locker as the plane prepared to land. He had earlier heard Mr Jandoo make the reference to the bomb while the plane was stationary at Inverness, Stornoway Sheriff Court heard.

Mr Jandoo, 47, denies five charges including breach of the peace for making references to a bombon 15 March last year.

The court heard that passengers on board the aircraft were visibly upset at Mr Jandoo's comment. Staff removed Mr Jandoo's laptop from him and put it in a locker.

The court also heard from another passenger, Joanna Hall. She said she noticed Mr Jandoo staring at her on several occasions and that this made her feel "uncomfortable". She said Mr Jandoo had his laptop on and that he was pretending to press the keys with his fingers.

Under cross-examination, Mrs Hall agreed that people frightened of flying may manifest nerves, and that Mr Jandoo could have been fidgeting and looking around as he was nervous. The case continues.