An Iraqi sea captain admitted joking to airport check-in staff that he was carrying two bombs in his briefcase.

Talal Abdul Hameed, 47, who works for Arab Maritime Petroleum Company, made the remark as he checked in to board a flight at Teesside International Airport on Saturday.

The senior gas tanker captain, who had docked his vessel in Teesport the day before, was charged with breaching the Aviation Security Act after the scare, during which the airport's terminal was temporarily closed.

The father-of-three had been asked routine security questions by check-in operator Susan Grace when he made his ''foolish throw-away remark'', Darlington magistrates were told.

Hameed was booked to board a flight home to Basra via Amsterdam.

David Maddison, prosecuting, said that when he was asked if he was carrying any scissors or a knife, Hameed shrugged his shoulders and replied: ''No, just two bombs.'

"He was cautioned and interviewed by police, his reply was 'I am only joking."

Simon Walker, defending, said Hameed, who has no previous convictions, apologised to the court for the distress he caused.

He said: ''This is an unfortunate and regrettable incident which I can assure you my client bitterly regrets.''

Mr Walker said Hameed, who had been a sea captain for 13 years, was a man of ''impeccable character'' and although he spoke good English it was not flawless, which might have contributed to him misunderstanding the security question. ''He has learned his lesson and it will not happen again,", said Mr Walker.

The incident had embarrassed his employers, who had sent a representative to escort him to Darlington court and then to the airport for a flight home after the case.

Chairman of the bench Colin Beadle said the court accepted that it was a joke, adding: ''However, in the current climate you will understand why the airport acted in the way they did.''

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay £55 costs immediately.

Dressed smartly in a checked jacket and tie, the Iraqi appeared bemused by the number of press and onlookers as he left the court.

A waiting huddle of people shouted 'crank' as he walked by.

He smiled when approached by The Northern Echo but declined to comment.

"He has been told not to say anything,", said his representative as Hameed was bundled into a large Mercedes car and driven away.