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Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that a man who staged a suspected bomb hoax on board a Qatar Airways flights to the UK on Tuesday (05/08/14) has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.
The 47-year-old man is from the northwest of England and it is alleged the bomb scare started after an air hostess found one of a series of notes on board the plane, written by the man.
The flight into Manchester Airport was escorted by an RAF Typhoon jet after the crew on the airliner sent out a call for help.
Passengers said that the man was ordered to place his hands on his head before being led away by armed police after the plane landed. The Gulf flight to the UK had 269 passengers on board, many of whom were terrified by the incident.
One passenger said that the man escorted from the plane by police appeared very calm until he realised an RAF fighter jet was escorting the aircraft, at which point his face appeared to register what was happening.
Greater Manchester Police said that the suspect had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act “to allow for a fuller assessment and appropriate treatment”.
A search of the airplane – which landed at an isolated area of the airport –
revealed no device on board.
Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors
Duncan Lewis is a specialist firm of mental health solicitors – and Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services.
Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit police stations and hospitals to advise on mental health law, including detention under the Mental Health Act.
In some cases, Duncan Lewis may be able to advise the Nearest Relative (NR) or carer of a mental health patient, including initiating treatment reviews, where appropriate.
For expert and confidential advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.