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Man sentenced in laser light case | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A man who admitted shining a laser at a police helicopter as it flew over Oxford has been ordered to carry out 200 hours community service. | |
Jomir Ali, 20, of Leon Close, Oxford, was arrested on 3 August after the light was shone at the aircraft, temporarily blinding the crew. | Jomir Ali, 20, of Leon Close, Oxford, was arrested on 3 August after the light was shone at the aircraft, temporarily blinding the crew. |
In an earlier hearing, he admitted endangering the safety of the aircraft. | |
Oxford Magistrates' Court heard when he was caught Ali told police he had been "stupid". | |
The laser caused mild eye irritation to two of the officers on board. | The laser caused mild eye irritation to two of the officers on board. |
Bright green glow | Bright green glow |
Magistrates said the consequences could have been catastrophic. | Magistrates said the consequences could have been catastrophic. |
Pc Neil Bouse, who investigated the case, said: "This incident could have resulted in a very serious accident. | Pc Neil Bouse, who investigated the case, said: "This incident could have resulted in a very serious accident. |
"Shining a laser at an aircraft can dazzle and disorientate the pilot - the front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. | "Shining a laser at an aircraft can dazzle and disorientate the pilot - the front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. |
"Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright green glow, which can potentially blind the pilot." | "Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright green glow, which can potentially blind the pilot." |
Following sentencing, Ali said he was ashamed of what he did and was relieved he was not being sent to prison. | Following sentencing, Ali said he was ashamed of what he did and was relieved he was not being sent to prison. |
"What I did was just shameful. I do feel bad really to be honest and I do regret it," he added. | "What I did was just shameful. I do feel bad really to be honest and I do regret it," he added. |
The number of similar incidents reported to the Civil Aviation Authority has grown dramatically in recent years. | The number of similar incidents reported to the Civil Aviation Authority has grown dramatically in recent years. |
In 2007 there were 29 laser pen incidents, compared with more than 500 so far this year. | In 2007 there were 29 laser pen incidents, compared with more than 500 so far this year. |
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