THE pilot of a police helicopter who was searching for a missing man was recklessly dazzled by a man hanging out of a window.
David Warren has now been jailed for the offence, with Cheshire Police releasing video footage from the helicopter, in which it can be heard that the pilot nearly had to call off the search.
He committed the act just a week after being given a chance by magistrates with a suspended sentence for a weapon offence.
At around 1.30am on Tuesday, August 27, police were called to concerns for the welfare of a man in Warrington who had been reported missing.
Officers began conducting enquiries in a bid to locate him, with a National Police Air Service helicopter deployed above Latchford and Stockton Heath to assist in the search.
Shortly before 3.15am, an officer on board the helicopter stated over the police radio that someone was shining a green laser out of the window of a property, aiming it at him.
Officers were able to trace where the laser was coming from to Warren’s home, on Eagle Mount, Wilderspool.
The 41-year-old refused to allow officers into the address, resulting in officers forcing entry and arresting him, while a green laser seized was also found at the property.
During his police interview, Warren admitted the offence, saying he was using the laser to point out the helicopter in the sky while recording it on his phone.
He was subsequently charged with shining a laser beam towards an aircraft and pleaded guilty before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on a previous occasion.
The defendant appeared back before the court on Thursday, where he was sentenced to 35 weeks in prison, to be served immediately.
Magistrates remarked that the sentence was justified due to the severity of his actions, which could have put lives in danger.
The offence was committed a week after Warren was handed a 23-week suspended sentence for threatening a person with a hammer in public.
Magistrates also approved an application for the laser to be forfeited and destroyed.
The sentence was welcomed by sergeant Michael Hayes, of Cheshire Police, who said: “The person the police helicopter was searching for during this incident was ultimately located.
“But shining the laser beam in its direction was incredibly dangerous, and it could have seriously hindered efforts to locate someone in need of help.
“The sentence handed to Warren should serve as a reminder of how serious this offence is considered.
“I hope it also reminds people of the risks associated with lasers, which some people may think of as a harmless device.
“This is far from the case, and they can have very serious consequences.”
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