Bomb 'joke' ends in court

Shaun Lines. Photo / Supplied

A public relations expert sparked a security scare at Auckland Airport with what he called "an inappropriate joke" about a bomb in his bag.

Shaun Lines, 47, owner and director of Havelock North PR and marketing company Grow, has been charged with communicating false information affecting the safety of an aerodrome.

Police allege he made the quip about explosives in his bag to Air New Zealand staff while checking in.

The summary of facts said that when asked if his bag weighed more than 23kg, he replied: "I had to shuffle the bags around to make sure the explosives are under 23kg".

The comment, allegedly made while Lines was at the domestic terminal before an Air New Zealand flight to Napier on August 10, resulted in the businessman being searched by security staff and an explosives dog. No explosives were found.

Questioned by police, he denied making the statement and said, "There are no explosives."

He appeared in Hastings District Court yesterday but did not enter a plea to the charge, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 months' jail.

Lines told Hawke's Bay Today he made "an inappropriate joke" and had since apologised to Air New Zealand and security staff. "We will seek to get the charges discharged," he said.

He will appear in court again next month.