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Hamish McNeilly / Stuff
Preetam Maid appears in the dock during her jury trial in Dunedin District Court.
A former Aviation Security Service (Avsec) officer was found guilty of planting a fake bomb at Dunedin Airport two days after the Christchurch terror attack.
Preetam Prakash Maid, 32, was charged with bringing a look-alike explosive to an enhanced security area after a device was found on the north side of the airport on March 17, 2019.
Maid, who started working with Avsec in May 2017, claimed to have seen an unusual item near a cabin.
He was found guilty in a majority verdict by a jury in Dunedin District Court on Wednesday.
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His wife blew him a kiss moments before the decision and seemed surprised when the verdict came.
Judge Michael Crosbie praised the jury, which took a day and a half to reach its majority verdict, noting that the evidence was “overwhelming.”
During a trial that lasted more than two weeks, the Crown alleged that Maid planted the device at the airport himself, constructing it from items obtained from a secure area of the airport.
The device contained cables, a cylinder, batteries, a cell phone and a cryptic note, the jury was told during the trial, which lasted more than two weeks.
The handwritten note read: “A. Alpha, B. Birds, C. Crash, D. Dunedin, E. Emergency, F. Fools. “
A handwriting expert told the court that it was likely written by Maid.
The Crown alleged that a possible motive for Maid, who had previously raised issues over airport security, was getting more work at the airport.
He also contacted the media about his complaints, including Things, and petitions circulated about safety concerns.
The charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Judge Crosbie convicted Maid, but a sentencing date has not yet been set.
Maid, who has no prior convictions, was placed on remand before a bond hearing Thursday.
Police declined to comment outside of court.
