Laser louts

Youths fined for shining beam at police helicopter

TWO Oldham youths who shone a potentially blinding laser beam at a flying police helicopter have been fined.

Jamie Carter (18), of Masefield Road, Derker, and a 17-year-old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, originally told police they had been shining the laser pen at the moon.

However, the pair pleaded guilty at Oldham Magistrates Court yesterday to shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle or distract the pilot.

The court heard how just before midnight on May 26, Capt Robert Granger was flying a Greater Manchester Police helicopter over Oldham accompanied by two police officers and a police sergeant.

Capt Granger and one of the police officers noticed a strong green light shining at the helicopter, beaming from a Derker estate.

The pilot moved the helicopter away but the laser, which can permanently damage a person’s eyesight, continued to track them.

Using thermal cameras, officers located both the defendants who immediately told police they were shining the laser at the moon.

In his police interview, Carter said he had not realised the laser pen would have reached such as distance, but did accept the consequences could have been catastrophic. The 17-year-old admitted the offence but said he had not realised the full impact of what they were doing.

The pair, who were not legally represented at court, pleaded guilty, and the 17-year-old apologised to magistrates.

Bench chairman, Councillor Ann Wingate said: “Our options are limited by the fact this is a fine-only offence. You distracted officers performing a public duty and you risked putting them and others on the ground in serious danger.

“The court views this very seriously, and we want you under no illusion this could have resulted in much more serious charges.”

Magistrates fined each of them £115, and ordered them to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.