Don’t shine laser pens at aircraft
This is a message from Neighbourhood Alert Information sent on behalf of Nottinghamshire Police
Message sent by
Jason Crofts (Police, PC 1146, West Bassetlaw, East Bassetlaw & Sherwood)
Police are warning people who might be tempted to shine a laser pen at an aircraft that it is a criminal offence under UK law and if convicted, offenders can face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
People seem to be under the mistaken impression that shining a laser pen at an aircraft is nothing more than a prank but they need to realise it is a criminal offence which potentially could have catastrophic consequences for those on board the aircraft.
Some examples of sentences for persons convicted of laser offences:
- On April 19th 2012 a man was sentenced to nine months in jail for deliberately lasing a helicopter. The offender repeatedly aimed a green laser at the aircraft over a period of about 10 minutes. The light dazzled the pilot and crew, and the flight path was adjusted. The laser was recorded by an on-board camera, enabling the offender’s house to be pinpointed and ground officers were notified. They found the offender in his back garden, where he admitted using the laser and was arrested.
- On May 12th 2012 a male aimed a blue laser pen at a helicopter for about six minutes. On July 16th 2012, he pleaded guilty to one count of recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or people in an aircraft. He was sentenced to six months in jail.
- One offender pleaded guilty to “acting recklessly or negligently in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft” and on November 23rd 2011 was sentenced to four months in jail, and the laser pen was destroyed by police.
- On September 11th 2011 a male illuminated a commercial flight. A West Midlands Air Support helicopter was sent to investigate and was also lased by the offender. He pleaded guilty to lasing the police helicopter and on October 20th 2011 was sentenced to six months in jail.
- On June 24th 2010 a male deliberately tracked a helicopter. The pilot had to take a hand off the controls in order to shield his eyes. He was subsequently charged with recklessly or negligently acting in a way likely to endanger an aircraft. At sentencing on April 15th 2011, the judge gave him an 8-month jail term, as a deterrent to others.
Anyone with knowledge of such incidents is urged to contact the police on 101 or anonymously on the Crimestoppers number of 0800 555 111.