Man fined for shining laser pen at police helicopter – Iver

Friday 23 December 2011, 1:31pm

A man has been fined and has had to forfeit his laser pen after he shined it at a Chiltern Air Support helicopter in Iver.

Christopher Lee, aged 29, from Travellers Lane, Hatfield, appeared at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (21/12), charged with directing/shining a light at an aircraft on flight so as to dazzle/distract the pilot. He was fined a total of £170 and has had to forfeit his laser pen.

A laser was shone at the helicopter from the Hollow Hill Lane area of Iver at about 5.50pm. The crew directed officers on the ground to the area, where the arrest was made.

Chiltern Air Support officer Sgt Paul Coleman, said: “When a laser is shone at an aircraft it will illuminate the cockpit. The intensity of the beam could potentially damage the eyesight of those inside and in the worst case scenario, it could disable the pilot and result in the aircraft crashing.

“However, we have the tactics to negate the effects of the laser, as well as the technology to identify those responsible for this type of incident.”

Press Bureau
(01865) 846699