20/01/2004

Woman arrested in US after joke 'bombed'

A 21-year-old British woman is in a US jail today after she joked with a policeman at Miama International Airport that she had a bomb in her backpack.

Samantha Marson may have intended her comment to be humorous, but the policeman at Miami International Airport was not amused – and promptly arrested her.

Miss Marson, a student from Bridgnorth in Shropshire, is alleged to have placed her backpack on the belt of an X-ray machine before she quipped: "Hey, be careful. I have three bombs in there."

A short time later a judge remanded her in custody to Dade County jail. She is due to reappear in court on February 6.

It has been reported that Miss Marson could spend up to six months in jail if she is unable to pay her $4,500 bail bond.

Samantha's father, Jim, has said that his daughter is upset and bewildered by what has happened to her.

Miss Marson had been in the country visiting her boyfriend who is a member of the US Navy.

Current advice from Foreign Office officials and airlines is that passengers passing through US airports should not make facetious comments on security issues.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

04 February 2004
US court releases 'bomb joke' student
The 21-year-old British woman who was arrested in Florida after joking that she was carrying a bomb in her backpack has been freed after appearing in court today. Samantha Marson, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire, was released after agreeing to pay £650 towards a fund for the families of the Twin Towers victims.
22 January 2004
British 'bomb' joker makes bail
The 21-year-old British woman who was arrested in Florida after joking that she was carrying a bomb in her backpack has been released on bail. Samantha Marson, from Bridgnorth in Shropshire, was released from Dade County jail last night after a bail bond of £2,700 was paid. She had spent four nights in the jail.
06 November 2013
Stuart Hall In Court Charged With Rape
Veteran broadcaster Stuart Hall, 83, has appeared in court charged with 15 offences of rape relating to two girls. He also faces charges of indecent assault. Hall is currently serving a 30-month jail term for sexually abusing 13 victims over a period of 20 years. He appeared at Preston Magistrates' Court to face the charges.
26 October 2012
11 Care Workers Sentenced Over Abuse
Six of the 11 care workers who admitted a total of 38 charges of neglect or abuse of patients at a private hospital have been jailed. The five others have been given suspended sentences after BBC Panorama uncovered the acts of abuse.
17 May 2013
69-Year-Old Woman Avoids Jail Over Manslaughter Charge
A 69-year-old woman, who strangled her terminally ill former partner, has avoided jail, the BBC has reported. Joyce Evans was found guilty of the manslaughter of former soldier Colin Ballinger, 66, at her home in New Orleans Walk, Islington, north London, last July.