An Australian man has been formally charged in Singapore for making a bomb threat on board a flight destined for Perth, Australia. The threat was taken so seriously that the aircraft was forced to turn back, accompanied by fighter jet escorts. The man, identified as Hawkins Kevin Francis, 30, could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years, a hefty fine, or both if convicted.
The incident occurred on Flight TR16, operated by Singaporean budget carrier Scoot. Approximately an hour into the journey on Thursday, the bomb threat was communicated, prompting the aircraft’s immediate return to Singapore. Singapore’s air force scrambled fighter jets to escort the plane safely back to the city-state. However, it was later confirmed that the threat was indeed false.
Kevin Francis was arrested by police who boarded the aircraft upon its return to Singapore. According to the charge sheet, he allegedly informed a cabin crew member, “I have a bomb,” during the flight. He also repeatedly uttered the word “bomb” to another cabin crew member. Despite being aware that the threat was untrue, Francis’s intent was to convince the cabin crew that a terrorist act was imminent. This action constituted an offense under the United Nations (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations.
Appearing via video conference in a district court, the Australian man, wearing an olive green T-shirt, was somber as he heard the charges and confirmed his understanding of them. The court ordered his remand to the Institute of Mental Health for two weeks for psychiatric evaluation before his case is scheduled to be heard again on October 27.
During the court proceedings, Francis inquired about the possibility of getting “an airplane ticket back to my home country in Australia,” but he was informed that such an arrangement was not feasible at the moment. His request to make a statement to the court was also denied.
It’s worth noting that Scoot is the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, and such incidents have previously led to fighter jet escorts. Singapore’s air force had to scramble fighter jets in response to bomb threats involving commercial airliners in 2022, 2019, and 2018, underscoring the gravity with which such threats are treated.