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Watch the laser incident
and today's reaction

by Emma Grove

A teenager who shone a laser pen
into a police helicopter will have to wear an electronic tag on his
ankle for five month.

Jamie Lind, 18, has been given
a curfew order which means he cannot leave his house in Manor Road,
Rushenden, between 8pm and 5am.

The curfew comes into affect
straight away.

Lind appeared at Sittingbourne
Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Friday, where he was also
ordered to pay costs of £200, which will be taken by a collection
order of £5 a week.

The incident happened on January
16, when Lind shone his laser pen into the cockpit of the joint
Kent and Essex police helicopter.

He had been at a friend’s house and
after hearing the noise of the helicopter, which was out searching
for a man who had climbed up a telegraph pole, they went out to
investigate.

The court heard how Lind shone the
light after his friends said they couldn’t see the helicopter.

The light illuminated the cockpit
and caused the crew to attempt to shield their eyes.

Using the thermal imaging camera
on-board, the light was traced back to Lind and a ground crew was
sent out.

Lind was arrested and appeared at
Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, May 21, where he
pleaded guilty to negligently acting in a manner which endangered
an aircraft.

Defending, James Bancroft, said:
"There was no attempt to hide it, he was immediately apologetic and
helpful to the police and handed the pen to the officer straight
away."

Chairman of the bench John
Fassenfelt said he was satisfied Lind now knows the risks involved
and that it had been taken into account he had cooperated with
police.

Picture of Lind courtesy of
Mike Gunnill.