Man jailed for lock knife at Gatwick Airport

Franco Vences has been jailed for five months after a lock knife was found in his luggage at Gatwick Airport. He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 10. Vences, aged 39, was arrested on December 1, 2023, after telling a check-in worker not to touch his bag or she would “get hurt”.

Vences arrived at the airport without a ticket but intended to travel to Texas in the United States. When questioned about his bag's contents, he responded with "C-4," referring to a type of plastic explosive. Airport staff alerted police, who subsequently searched his bag and discovered a black-handled locking knife with a 6cm blade.

Court proceedings

Mr Vences was charged with possession of a bladed article in public. He initially denied the offence but later changed his plea to guilty. The court sentenced him to five months imprisonment.

Detective sergeant Ian Warncken of Gatwick CID stated that such incidents have the potential to cause a major security alert at the airport. He emphasised that public safety is the priority and that police will respond accordingly. "This case should serve as a reminder for passengers to familiarise themselves with airport security legislation and to double check their luggage before they arrive at the airport," he said. "However, it is a criminal offence to possess any locking knife without an extremely good reason for having it and forgetting to check your bags is not a sufficient defence."