Harsh, but fair?

From AirportCommunity.org:

Explosives quip earns passenger a suspended jail sentence, fine and ban!

A man told Airport security staff he was wearing “explosive sandals”. The male aged 62 made the comment as he went through security at Ronaldsway Airport, Isle of Man.

He was due to fly to Luton and was asked to remove his jacket and shoes. He handed in his jacket, but as he went through security he still had his footwear on.

He became ‘bolshy’ when asked to remove them and told the staff he travelled all over the world and never had to remove his sandals.

He eventually handed them to security with the comment “they are my explosive sandals”. He was arrested under the terrorism act and said he did not think such a comment would be taken seriously.

The Avocate at the Court hearing said the defendant, a retired building surveyor, made a purely spontaneous flippant remark for which the defendent apologised.

The male was jailed for four months, suspended for two years and fined £500, he was also given a five year exclusion order from the Island.

Ok, so this was an incredibly stupid thing to say, and I think it was right that he was arrested, spoken to by police and fined the £500, but a five year exclusion order from the Island…is it me, or is that a bit harsh!?

Would be good to know what people think about this incident, and whether the same rules should be applied to other locations, as in whether we should exclude all passengers that make so called “joke” remarks…would that be too ‘Nanny State’-ish, or do people actually think its a good idea?