Story Archive

Empty Threat

Luke Brown, 18, called the police to report a bomb in the food court of Castle Mall in Norwich, Norfolk, England. A bomb sweep was made, but no bombs were found and nobody was evacuated. Police determined that the threat was a hoax, and quickly found Brown at the phone box where he had made the call. Brown confessed to the hoax, saying he was hoping to help his brother, who worked in the mall, get off work early. Brown’s lawyer said his client suffers from learning difficulties and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Brown had pleaded guilty and had been a “stupid boy,” he told the judge. “It’s a childish immature prank by someone who is seriously academically challenged.” The judge, however, said he would be “failing in his public duty” if he did not sentence Brown to jail time. “People must learn that you cannot send out bomb hoaxes because if you do you will end up in prison,” he ruled. He sentenced Brown to six months in a young offenders institution. (MS/Eastridge Daily Press) ...Stupidity doesn’t prevent punishment for a crime. If it did most prisons would be empty.