A university student from Manchester has been sentenced to prison after orchestrating a bomb hoax at a Starbucks in Manchester Airport, leading to mass evacuations and significant disruption.
Oliver Wheeldon, 20, was handed a 12-month jail term at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting to placing a suspicious package at the airport's Starbucks outlet. The incident, which occurred in August 2023, triggered an emergency response, including the deployment of bomb disposal experts and the evacuation of passengers and staff.
Chaos at Manchester Airport
The court heard how Wheeldon left a bag containing wires and a note at the coffee shop, prompting fears of a potential explosive device. The area was cordoned off, and flights were delayed as authorities assessed the threat.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the package was a hoax, but the incident caused widespread panic and operational delays at one of the UK's busiest airports.
Student's Motive Remains Unclear
Wheeldon, a student at the University of Liverpool, offered no clear explanation for his actions. His defence claimed he had been under significant stress at the time, but the judge dismissed this as insufficient justification for the reckless behaviour.
"This was a deliberate act that caused fear and disruption to hundreds of people," said Judge David Aubrey KC. "Such actions cannot be taken lightly, and a custodial sentence is necessary to reflect the seriousness of the offence."
Impact on Travel and Security
The hoax not only disrupted airport operations but also raised concerns about security vulnerabilities. Manchester Airport has since reviewed its protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Wheeldon, who has no prior convictions, will serve half of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.
