Moment Brit ‘bomb hoax’ teen, 18, is hauled to court after fighter jet scrambled to escort easyJet flight to Menorca

A BRITISH teenager accused of making a bomb hoax on a packed easyJet flight has been pictured arriving in court in Spain after his mum flew out from the UK to see him.

Military fighter jets were scrambled after the 18-year-old triggered panic onboard the flight from London Gatwick to the Spanish island of Menorca on Sunday afternoon.

He appeared in court in the Menorcan capital Mahon on Tuesday morning wearing the same blue shorts and green shirt he was reportedly wearing on the easyJet flight.

His mother, who had flown to the island from the UK, was waiting for him at the court entrance and greeted him as he was led into the building by an armed police escort and handed over to a judge for questioning.

The teen has spent the past two nights in a Spanish jail cell after being handed over Spanish military jet escort on Sunday.

He had reportedly travelled to the Mediterranean island for a celebration with a group of friends.

The alarm was sounded as easyJet flight EZY8303 was coming into land just before 5pm local time on Sunday.

A Spanish F-18 fighter jet was filmed as it escorted the passenger plane to its landing – which was half an hour later than scheduled.

Furious passengers were reportedly kept on the tarmac for four hours while the bomb scare was investigated.

The disruption is believed to have led to a Ryanair flight leaving two and a half hours late for London.

If found guilty, the Brit teen could face a fine of up to £50,000 to cover the costs of the Spanish Airforce as well as a major police operation involving the mobilisation of specialist officers and sniffer dogs.

He was released on Tuesday on bail of 10,000 Euros (£8,600) but ordered to stay in Spain and report to court every fortnight as part of his release conditions.

A judicial source reported that the teen will have to remain in Menorca so he can sign at the same court he appeared at on Tuesday.

They went on: “The judge has confiscated his passport, banned him from leaving Spain and told him to report periodically to court.”

Unconfirmed reports say Menorca-based judge Belen Velazquez has passed the case over to a national court in Madrid because it revolved around issues of national security.

The same report said that the case could be handed over to the UK “because the alleged crime was committed in UK territory”.

The judge has confiscated his passport, banned him from leaving Spain and told him to report periodically to court

Judicial source

On Tuesday, a Menorcan newspaper claimed that Scotland Yard and French police detected the alleged bomb threat on social media and alerted cops in Spain.

The Spanish Civil Guard has not yet commented on this claim.

But police sources confirmed that if convicted the teenager is likely to have to pick up the tab for any police operation.

Yesterday, a spokesman for the Civil Guard said: “The Civil Guard has arrested an 18-year-old British national as the alleged author of a public order offence in Mahon in Menorca.

“On Sunday the control tower at Menorca Airport was alerted to a bomb threat on a plane heading from London to the island capital Mahon which was still in the air and nearing the airport.

“The threat was said to have been sent on a social media platform.

“Once the plane landed it was taken to an area away from the main terminal and other aircraft.”

He added: “The passengers were disembarked and established protocol followed until police were able to confirm it was a false bomb threat and the person responsible was identified on social media along with five other companions as witnesses.

“They were taken to a police station so officers could clarify the situation.”

Tuesday’s court hearing took place behind closed doors as only trials are held in public in Spain.

An announcement from the judge is expected in hours as to whether the teenager will be released on bail pending an anticipated ongoing criminal probe.

It isn’t known whether or not he could face a speedy trial.