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Jail term for man who blinded a police helicopter pilot with laser pen

2/ 7/2008

A HEATON Norris man who temporarily blinded a police helicopter pilot with a laser pen has been jailed for four months.

Dean Bottomley,  repeatedly flashed the green laser at a Greater Manchester Police helicopter from his bedroom window on April 16.

The pilot was so dazzled by the beam that he had to take emergency measures to avoid it, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Bottomley, 21, of Larwood Avenue, had admitted reckless endangerment of an aircraft at an earlier hearing in Stockport, although he said he had hit the helicopter "no more than twice".

But pilot Captain Mark Westwood said the laser struck eight or 10 times as he flew over Brinnington, and that he was forced to fly blind.

Speaking after the sentencing, Superintendent John O’Hare, head of Greater Manchester Police Tactical Support Section, slammed Bottomley’s actions.

He said: "What Bottomley did that night almost defies belief. This was a high-powered laser that shone a blinding green light up into the sky. Once the beam came into contact with the helicopter the beam lit up the cockpit, meaning the aircrew were momentarily unable to see the dials. This could clearly have had disastrous consequences for the helicopter and its crew."

He added: "People might think that this is some sort of amusing prank, but I can assure you that it could have had deadly consequences. The seriousness of the incident is reflected in the specific offence that he was charged with. This offence was created for exactly this kind of incident."

Bottomley had bought the gadget, pictured above, which has a range of five miles, from an internet auction site for £30.

Aircraft crew used thermal imaging to pinpoint the beam’s source and directed officers on the ground to Bottomley’s house, where they arrested him.

The police have promised to clamp down on the use of laser pens, which are used to target police helicopters in the area about once a week.

Captain Mike Briggs, GMP’s chief pilot, said: "At the very least, it is a distraction to the pilot, which is a danger, but it could interfere with his vision and he might lose control with possible catastrophic results. It is not harmless fun; it could lead to loss of life."

Caroline Patrick, defending, said Bottomley admitted it was a "stupid" thing to do, but was an immature young man with "significant deficit in his thinking".