Saltley teen admits dazzling police helicopter pilot with laser
A TEENAGER almost blinded a police helicopter pilot with a green laser as he hovered in the skies above Birmingham.
The 17-year-old has been warned he could be sent into custody for the act of “complete stupidity” that could have bought the high-tech Eurocopter EC-135P2i crashing to the ground.
The Saltley teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted acting recklessly or negligently in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft at the city’s Youth Court yesterday.
Magistrates adjourned sentence until April 30 for a report to be prepared but warned the young defendant that the potential consequences of what he had done were so serious that a custodial sentence could not be ruled out.
The helicopter, containing a pilot and police observer was over Herrick Road, Alum Rock, at about 9pm on Saturday March 7 when the incident happened.
Sean Kyne, prosecuting said pilot, Captain Nicholas Clarkson, became aware of what he described as an “intense and bright green laser light” directly shining into the cockpit.
Mr Kyne said the pilot’s eyesight was affected by the light and it made it difficult for him to see outside.
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