Overview

• The helicopter reported being persistently targeted during a June 29 search over Ferryhill, County Durham.
• Using the aircraft’s imaging, officers traced the beam to a Highland Terrace address and found a black laser pen down a sofa.
• Colin Quinn, 44, was arrested on suspicion of endangering an aircraft, admitted the act in custody and blamed intoxication.
• He pleaded guilty to recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft and was sentenced on August 19 to four months in prison plus £154 in costs at Durham Crown Court.
• Police said the strike jeopardized crew safety and diverted resources, with NPAS noting it was at least the third recent case in the North.