Father, 32, who called airport official a ‘Rochdale paedo’ for trying to stop him smuggling huge stash of cigarettes into the country from Bali is jailed
- Michael Legros, 32, jailed after calling Asian airport official ‘Rochdale paedo’
- He arrived at Manchester Airport from Bali with 19,300 cigarettes worth £7,500
- He was convicted and jailed for a total of three years at Liverpool Crown Court
A father who call an Asian airport official a ‘Rochdale paedo’ after he tried to stop him smuggling a huge batch of cigarettes into the country has been jailed for three years.
Michael Legros, 32, arrived at Manchester Airport from Bali with 19,300 mixed brand smokes worth more than £7,500.
When told he could only bring in 200 cigarettes he launched a tirade of abuse at the border force officers telling them he could ‘buy’ them.
Legros told an Asian officer: ‘Did you enjoy looking at my kids’ underwear? You look like a Rochdale paedo.’
He said: ‘What’s the f***ing problem. I’ve paid tax on these cigarettes’ but they were later referred to HMRC and he received a Civil Evasion Penalty of £7,876.
Father Michael Legros, 32 from Liverpool, who call an Asian airport official a ‘Rochdale paedo’ after he tried to stop him smuggling a huge batch of cigarettes into the country has been jailed for three years
Legros was also sentenced for threatening members of the public with a knife in Hale in May 2022.
He was with his partner and four young children when officers asked to check his suitcases on 24 March 2020.
Legros told officers they were ‘c***s’, ‘f***ing tramps’ and ‘scruffs’.
He said: ‘I could f***ing buy you lot… you earn £20,000 a year, you can f***ing have him.
‘Keep the suitcase you scruffy b******s, I’ll get another one for £50. I’ve got Louis Vuitton bags and a watch worth more than you earn.’
The officers called for backup fearing Legros would become violent.
The Asian officer said he felt physically shaken and was ‘totally intimidated at the severe racist abuse that was directed at me.’
Legros, of Woolton, Liverpool, has previous convictions for using threatening behaviour to cause harassment or distress, possession of drugs, obstructing a police constable, dangerous driving and driving without insurance.
He denied but was convicted of racially aggravated harassment, affray and threatening someone with a bladed article.
Legros was jailed for a total of three years at Liverpool Crown Court.
Legros was jailed for a total of three years at Liverpool Crown Court (pictured)
Charles Lee, Operations Manager at the National Crime Agency, said: ‘Michael Legros’s behaviour throughout this incident was abhorrent.
‘Having been caught trying to avoid the duty on thousands of cigarettes, he directed a tirade of vitriolic abuse towards two Border Force officers.
‘He then compounded this behaviour by subjecting one of the officers to disgusting racist abuse.
‘Border Force officers perform the crucial role of protecting the UK by facilitating the legitimate movement of individuals and goods.
‘No one should ever be abused in this way and we were determined to hold Legros to account for his actions on behalf of our Border Force colleagues.’
Murdo Macmillan, Director of Border Force North, said: ‘Verbal assault and racism towards our officers are not tolerated and action will be taken against those who assault our staff.
‘We welcome the sentencing of Legros and will continue to ensure the safety and security of the UK.’
