Airport prankster to return to court

The airport restaurant supervisor who reportedly made the prank call which resulted in last month's 72 hour ban on Jamaican exports is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for the start of a preliminary enquiry.

David Bernard, 46, who pleaded not guilty when he appeared before the Corporate Area Criminal Court on March 11 faces life behind bars if convicted.

Mr. Bernard is charged with breaches of the Terrorism Prevention Act, the Aircraft Act and creating public mischief.

It was alleged that on Sunday, February 27, he called the Transnational Crime and Narcotics Unit, and reported that an employee at an in-bond shop at the Norman Manley International Airport was planning to place an explosive device on an American Airlines flight. 

Mr. Bernard, who was the supervisor at the restaurant at the airport, allegedly made the call after he had an argument with the in-bond store clerk, who is said to be a Muslim.

The call resulted in the US government imposing a 72-hour ban on all cargo from Jamaica.                                                                                                                                                                   US agents flew to Jamaica to assist local police in tracking down the source of the threat.