Italian Passenger Caught With Hand Grenade In Luggage

A teenage Italian airline passenger caused a Heathrow Airport evacuation when a hand grenade was found in his luggage.

The item was quickly spotted by security during checks in the departure area of Terminal 2 at 5.30pm on January 15.

Specialist officers attended and Domenico Giovinazzo, 19, was arrested.

The hand grenade was identified as decommissioned and posed no threat to staff or passengers.

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, who leads the Metropolitan Police's Aviation Policing Command said: “There are certain items that are strictly prohibited from being brought into an airport and bringing a hand grenade - albeit decommissioned - was both reckless and dangerous and it caused a huge amount of disruption to the airport and for other passengers. 

“There are various security checks in place to identify prohibited items such as this and when this item was spotted, we had specialist officers on-hand to quickly respond. 

“Thankfully they were able to identify the item was not a threat and nobody was hurt.

“This should be a reminder and warning to all passengers to ensure that they are not bringing any prohibited items with them into the airport and if you are not sure, then check with the airport and airline you are flying with.”

Giovinazzo was charged the next day with carrying a prohibited article in an airport.

Two days later he appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, suspended for one year, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £128.