Force helicopter laser man jailed

A police helicopter pilot reported a green laser light was pointing at him

A man has been jailed for a year after pointing a green laser light at a police helicopter.

Andrew McKee, 41, of Hermit Street, Islington, north London, was found guilty of negligently and recklessly endangering an aircraft.

He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment following a hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court.

Detective Constable Heider Ghosseiri, who led the inquiry, said McKee's actions could have caused a crash.

"I am pleased that he was found guilty by an unanimous verdict," he said.

"This will serve as a warning to others that what might appear to be a harmless prank could actually have serious implications."

'Strong message'

McKee was arrested in July 2007 after a police helicopter pilot reported a green laser light was pointing at him as he responded to an incident.

Officers on the ground traced the source of the light to an address in Hermit Street.

Police worked with Ministry of Defence scientists to undertake extensive research to prove McKee endangered the helicopter.

After a five-day trial, he was convicted of breaching the Air Navigation Order 2005.

Sergeant John Gleeson, of the police's Air Support Unit, said: "We believe it is important that the courts send out a strong message to deter this practice and emphasise the inherent danger of shining lasers at any aircraft."

In April, UK police reported a "phenomenal" increase in the number of incidents in which aircraft are targeted by small hand-held lasers.

In 2008, there were 69 times as many such incidents as in 2003.