Thug had blade in Hale pub and racially abused airport worker

A man who abused an airport official with a has been sentenced to three years in jail.

Michael Legros was making his way through Manchester Airport, having arrived from Bali, when two Border Force officers asked to check his suitcases.

Officials asked the 32-year-old, who was travelling with his partner and four young children, if he had any cigarettes or tobacco and was reminded that the allowance was 200 cigarettes per person.

Becoming aggressive, he then launched into a disgusting tirade of racist and expletive-laden abuse at the officers, one of whom was Asian.

One of Legros’s suitcases was stuffed full of 19,300 mixed brand cigarettes worth more than £7,500.

The cigarettes were referred to HMRC and Legros received a civil evasion penalty for £7,876 on August 2, 2021.

Legros, of Woodsome Park, Woolton, Liverpool, told the officers they were ‘c***s, f****g tramps and scruffs’.

Singling out the Asian officer, Legros said: “Did you enjoy looking at my kids’ underwear? You look like a Rochdale paedo.”

The officer said of the incident, which happened on March 24, 2020, that he felt physically shaken and ‘totally intimidated at the severe racist abuse’ directed at him.

Fearful that Legros was going to become violent. The officers called for back-up.

He was jailed at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

The defendant to keep the suitcase, stating: “You scruffy ba****ds, I’ll get another one for £50. I’ve got Louis Vuitton bags and a watch worth more than you earn.”

Legros was given six months for the racially aggravated offence.

He was also given two-and-a-half years after being convicted after trial of affray and threatening someone with a bladed article.

He had been caught on CCTV in May last year brandishing a blade and threatening members of the public at a pub in Hale.

Border Force referred the airport incident to the National Crime Agency to investigate, and Legros was convicted by a jury at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court of causing racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.

Charles Lee, NCA operations manager, said: “Michael Legros’ behaviour throughout this incident was abhorrent.

“Having been caught trying to avoid the duty on thousands of cigarettes, he directed a tirade of vitriolic abuse towards two Border Force officers.

“He then compounded this behaviour by subjecting one of the officers to disgusting racist abuse.

“Border Force officers perform the crucial role of protecting the UK by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals and goods.

“No one should ever be abused in this way, and we were determined to hold Legros to account for his actions on behalf of our Border Force colleagues.”

Murdo Macmillan, director of Border Force in the north, added: “Verbal assault and racism towards our officers are not tolerated, and action will be taken against those who assault our staff. 

“We welcome the sentencing of Legros and will continue to ensure the safety and security of the UK.”