Lethal weapons haul at Yorkshire airport

KNUCKLE-dusters, Samurai swords, canisters of CS gas and machetes have been seized from passengers attempting to enter the country at Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport.

Yesterday, UK Border Agency officials displayed the bumper haul of more than 100 potentially lethal weapons confiscated from passengers this summer, which is the largest seizure at the airport since it opened to commercial passengers.

The weapons, which also included throwing stars, stun guns and knives, were all taken from people arriving in the UK from Prague, Palma, Ibiza, Alicante, Paphos, Dalaman and Bourgas in Bulgaria. Last year, a total 3,400 illegal weapons were seized from ports and airports across the region.

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Andy Lumb, assistant director for the UK Border Agency in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "These were no holiday trinkets or souvenirs.

"All of these weapons could have caused serious injury or even death."

Jayne Allen, 52, and son Jack, 20, both of Firth Road in Retford, tried to smuggle in 14 weapons at Robin Hood Airport as they returned home from Bourgas in July.

Three canisters of CS gas, two knuckle dusters, one baton and two knives were found in Mrs Allen's case and inside her son's luggage officers found two knives, two knuckle dusters and two batons.

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Mrs Allen was charged with attempting to import firearms and attempting to import offensive weapons, while her son was charged with attempting to import offensive weapons.

Both pleaded guilty and each received four-month suspended sentences at Doncaster Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

Sergeant Stuart Price from South Yorkshire Police added: "I would like to remind holidaymakers not to consider bringing such items back even as souvenirs. If you decide to ignore this advice you may well find yourself with a criminal record."

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