Airport bullets 'were grandma's'

Nicholas McKenna was detained by airport security staff

A German stopped from boarding a flight at Stansted Airport after ammunition was found in his hand luggage has said the bullets were his grandmother's.

Nicholas McKenna, 22, of Neuss, was detained by security staff on Tuesday after bullets and a lock knife were detected by a scanning machine.

McKenna said he forgot the 12 bullets were in his bag and pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition and a knife.

On Wednesday magistrates in Harlow adjourned sentencing until September.

McKenna, who has dual British and German nationality, told the court the .38 calibre bullets had been given to him by his grandmother two years ago to look after.

He also said he did not realise carrying a lock knife was illegal.

Essex Police arrested him at Stansted Airport where he had been trying to board an Air Berlin flight bound for Düsseldorf.

He was released on bail until a hearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 9 September.