Former British soldier faces a £100,000 fine or jail because he was afraid

A British passenger who suffered a breakdown while on holiday in Dubai faces a lengthy jail term for telling airline staff he feared there was a bomb on his plane while in the grip of paranoid delusions.

Former soldier Steve Long, 39, is believed to have been suffering from undiagnosed PTSD incurred during his army career when he made the comment as he was about to board a flight back to Manchester from the Gulf state.

His family say he was not threatening staff but suffering from residual trauma relating to his work in the army in tours of duty in Bosnia and Iraq. 

They say he was involved with bomb disposal units and also worked as a paramedic where he witnessed first hand many horrific accidents which have troubled him since.

But Dubai airline staff called police during the incident believing Long, from Stockport, Greater Manchester, was making a bomb threat.

He was arrested and spent three days in police custody where he developed a kidney problem caused by dehydration and being held in restraints.

Long later appeared by video link before a court where he was ordered to pay £100,000. Unless he can pay the money he will be jailed.

Family members flew out to the UAE and pleaded with officials to allow them to fly Long home and receive treatment, but were turned down.

His sister Clare said: 'My brother is not a criminal. He has spent his life caring for others in the most drastic situations possible. 

'He didn't harm anyone; he was just scared and needed help. If he goes to prison, I'm horrified at what this will do to him.'

Long was at Abu Dhabi airport about to board an Ethiad flight on January 28th after a holiday visiting friends.

His family said his behaviour towards the end of the trip had become increasingly erratic.

Long mentioned he feared there might be a bomb on board the jet as he was about the board.

Ethihad staff called police and the airline filed a criminal complaint.

Family members believe a spate of drone missile attacks on the Abu Dhabi airport weeks earlier had heightened his fears and triggered a mental collapse.

Long's wife and sister Claire flew out to Abu Dhabi the day after his arrest but were only allowed a limited time to speak with him.