Man avoids jail for shining laser pen at police helicopter

A father of five who accidentally shone a laser pen at a police helicopter, forcing the pilot to make an emergency landing, was told by a judge in Britain he had avoided jail by a “whisker” today.

Stuart Bowering was facing a possible prison sentence after a court was told the laser had impaired the crew’s vision.

Bristol Crown Court heard the 31-year-old’s actions in December last year had almost caused the helicopter to move into Bristol Airport’s airspace which could have resulted in the diversion of a commercial flight that was coming in to land.

During the period of time the laser was shone into the cockpit – approximately three seconds – the pilot, Paul Maddox, said the laser put “temporary black spots” in his vision.

But Bowering – who pleaded guilty to a charge of recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft – told the court he had not realised the power of the laser pen.

The self-employed builder was walking his two dogs with his 10-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son near his home in Hawkfield Road, Hartcliffe, at about 9.10pm on December 3 when the laser he was using to make his dogs run around was directed into the sky.

Bowering told the court he had been trying to wear his dogs out and despite the CCTV showing the laser passing through the cockpit and back again he had not meant to direct it at the helicopter.

Following the incident Bowering was traced to his address and immediately admitted he owned the pen.

He was handed a 12-month community order and was told he would have to repay £200 in court costs.