Teenager damaged Stansted plane

The teenager was stopped by airport security staff

A teenager caused damage to an airliner after entering a secure area at Stansted airport.

Joseph Monti, 18, climbed aboard a Boeing 737 parked at the airport before being seized by security staff.

Monti, a French national, was later arrested by Essex Police and charged with offences under the Aviation Security Act.

In a joint statement, the British Airports Authority (BAA) and Essex Police said they were "satisfied the incident was not associated with terrorism".

Guilty plea

Essex Police said Monti had caused minor damage to the plane last Wednesday.

He pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Magistrates Court last Friday to entering a restricted area without authority, boarding an aircraft without authorisation and criminal damage.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next month.

In a joint statement, Essex Police and BAA said: "This man was apprehended as a result of security in place at Stansted Airport which is a joint responsibility of Essex Police and BAA.

"In the interests of maintaining security we cannot make further comment."