DRUNKEN, loutish behaviour on board aeroplanes is no laughing matter - particularly at a time when the fear of terrorist attacks has never been stronger.

Tom Lilico, a 21-year-old former university student from the North-East, can therefore have no complaints about being jailed in Australia.

In fact, he may come to count himself very lucky that the prison sentence wasn't longer than the month handed out by magistrates in Cairns.

It might have been a drunken prank, but to threaten to hijack a packed aircraft with a knife was bound to spread alarm among passengers and a severe punishment was called for.

By all accounts, it was behaviour that was totally out of character and Lilico's jailing is not only devastating for him but for his respected family back home in Darlington.

Alcohol changes personalities and Lilico no doubt sobered up to the horrific realisation of what he had done. It is to be hoped that he has learned a harsh lesson.

He is a young man who has given himself a criminal record by doing something very stupid. But, although it may seem hard to see beyond the prison walls at the moment, he can serve his sentence and rebuild his life.

He must accept the punishment because, since September 11, The Northern Echo has reported a number of cases in which air passengers have been arrested for joking about carrying bombs or weapons.

Just a few weeks ago, 23-year-old Kenneth Drummond, a promising airman, appeared before Darlington magistrates for joking that he had explosives in his hand luggage as a plane was about to take off from Teesside International Aiport. He was fortunate enough to escape with a £500 fine and a warning from the RAF.

Only by handing out jail sentences can the courts ensure that the message is heard loud and clear around the world: It really isn't funny.