Bomb hoaxer given youth detention

Thursday 23 August 2018

A teenager has been sentenced to 10 weeks youth detention after admitting being behind a hoax bomb threat against Beau Sejour Leisure Centre earlier this year.

The 18 year old was 17 at the time of the offence so he can't be named for legal reasons.

The Magistrate's Court yesterday heard that he "did send by a telecommunications network a message which you knew to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to others."

The teenager had previously pleaded guilty to the charge and he appeared before the Judge yesterday for sentencing. The Greffier has confirmed that sentence of 10 weeks youth detention.

Pictured: The scene behind Beau Sejour Leisure Centre in July, as customers who had been swimming were among those evacuated with out any warning when the hoax call was reported to Guernsey Police 

Beau Séjour was evacuated just after 12:30 on Wednesday 4 July, following an anonymous call to the centre. It was forwarded on to Guernsey Police, which said it "gave officers enough concern to call for a full evacuation."

Members of the public, including those swimming and using the gym, were told to leave the building and to assemble on the Cambridge Park playing fields as the events unfolded.

Some customers were left in just their swimming costumes as they waited for further instructions on the field. They were waiting for up to two hours before the all clear was given so they could return and get changed.

Following the evacuation and during the subsequent investigation at the leisure centre, entry was restricted at every access point to Beau Sejour and the surrounding land and playing fields. Beau Sejour staff and customers, patrons of the Ron Short Centre and other members of the public were being held in the area to the side of the upper tennis courts, behind the softball pitch.

Just before 14:30 the leisure centre reopened and people were told they could return inside.

Initially, after being arrested, the 17-year-old was referred to the island's Children's Convener. It is that body which decided to refer the matter on to the Magistrate's Court which has now sentenced him to 10 weeks youth detention. 

Pictured top: The scene at Beau Sejour during a bomb hoax earlier this year