Court: Man admits shining laser pen at police helicopter

A MAN who shone a laser pen at a police helicopter has avoided a jail term. 
Judge Roger ThomasJudge Roger Thomas
Judge Roger Thomas

Joshua Jones (21), of Houghton Road, Thurnscoe, was due to stand trial at Sheffield Crown Court today (Wednesday) for one count of endangering an aircraft or any person therein.

He had previously denied shining a laser pen at a police helicopter from his home on Sunday, January 15 last year.

But Jones changed his plea to guilty today on the day his trial was due to begin.

Judge Roger Thomas sentenced him to a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge.