Man shone laser pen at police helicopter
A man recklesssly shone a laser pen at a police helicopter, claiming he thought it was a UFO, after a night out drinking with friends, a court heard.
Craig Perry, from Oldbury was at a friend's house in The Oval, Warley, on June 23 when they all gathered in the garden. The green laser pen was shone at the helicopter for around 10 minutes. Police officers on the ground arrested Perry after discovering him in the garden with the pen. Perry, who was drunk , told them he thought the aircraft was a UFO.
He said that is why he directed the light towards it.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday the 20-year-old, of Victoria Road, was handed a 26-week sentence suspended for 18-months after admitting endangering the safety of an aircraft.
Mr Richard Franck, prosecuting, told the court: "The defendant shone a green laser at the police helicopter.
"It went on for about 10 minutes. The laser light reflects into the cockpit. It can temporary blind or disorientate the pilot.
"The crew on board at the time identified where the light was coming from.
"Officers on the ground went round to the house and found Perry with the pen in his hand."
John Attwood, defending, said his client had committed the offence "recklessly" and as a "consequence of drinking".
Mr Attwood said: "He went to the pub and things got a little out of hand. He had far more drink than he normally did.
"When he and his friends saw a light in the sky, in high spirits, they came up with the ludicrous notion it was a UFO. He then shone the light into the sky."
Judge Martin Walsh also handed Perry a two-month curfew to stay a home between 7pm-7am.
Judge Martin Walsh told Perry: "I accept there is remorse. Doing something like this endangers the life of those in the aircraft and those on the ground."
Perry told police the laser pen belonged to his friend's younger brother.
Mr Attwood added: "He is absolutely mortified by his behaviour."
