Car hire gripe led to airport bomb threat

A MAN who threatened to bomb Edinburgh Airport in retaliation for difficulty in hiring a car has been fined £300.

Andrew Purdy, 47, made the threat after losing his temper with staff at the Hertz rental company in Picardy Place, Edinburgh, on 20 October, 2008.

Purdy of Stanhope Place, Wishaw, pled guilty at the city's Sheriff Court last month to committing a breach of the peace by threatening to bomb the airport. Sentence was deferred until yesterday for background reports.

Purdy had booked a car and when he arrived was told he needed to pay the full amount for the hire. Fiscal Depute Graham Fraser said there was "difficulty" with his credit card. Purdy demanded a refund of his deposit.

Staff told him a refund would be sent to his bank account.

Mr Fraser said Purdy told them: "Tell your manager there will be a bomb at the airport tonight and people will be killed". He then left.

Staff contacted the police and the airport was also alerted.