“Idiot” YouTubers sentenced for threatening to blow up airport for video prank
newcastleairport/Northumbria PoliceA judge labeled a YouTuber a “self-entitled idiot” as she sentenced him and an accomplice over a bomb threat prank at Newcastle Airport.
Last year, YouTuber Garard Ndela pretended to be an Islamist terrorist and claimed he had an explosive device while former basketball player Andre Antonio filmed the incident.
While recording footage, the airport staff continued on as usual and didn’t buy into the prank, much to the chagrin of the YouTubers who expected a much more serious reaction. The duo were then interrupted by security and detained
Judge Amanda Rippon went all out on the two during sentencing, rejecting the idea that Ndela didn’t know the seriousness of his offense, labeling him a “criminal” who just wanted viral notoriety and attention.
YouTubers hammered by judge over bomb prank
As reported by ITV, Both Ndela and Antonio plead guilty to communicating false information. Ndela was sentenced to 200 hours of unpaid work, and nine months while Antonio received 150 hours of unpaid work and five months.
“He is a self-entitled idiot who thinks he is entitled to do what he wants,” the judge blasted. “Intentionally using the Arabic language and all that fear that comes from people thinking an Islamist terrorist could blow up an airport. That was a deliberate attempt by him to cause fear and that’s the most serious aspect of it.”
newcastleairport“It’s the most moronic behavior. No one paid you any attention however you, Ndela, start your bomb threat using Arabic on purpose and it’s plainly obvious you did that because you knew that would be what would get the most fearful and distressing reaction,” she added.
Antonio’s lawyer argued that his client had urged his friend not to do it. Meanwhile, Ndela’s lawyer even went as far to admit his client acted with “breathtaking stupidity.”
This is not the first time a fake bomb threat ended with a YouTuber being arrested. Earlier this year, a YouTuber was charged after faking a bomb scare in a mall food court in New Orleans.