A 44-year-old Ferryhill man who repeatedly shone a laser pen at a police helicopter searching for a missing person has been jailed for four months, as courts continue cracking down on the dangerous practice that puts aircrew and public safety at risk.
Colin Quinn was sentenced at Durham Crown Court on Tuesday after being caught red-handed pointing a green laser directly into the cockpit of a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter on the evening of 29 June. The aircraft was assisting Durham Constabulary in an urgent search operation when the crew reported being “persistently lasered” from a nearby property.
Despite being captured on the helicopter’s sophisticated imaging equipment shining the laser from his front door, Quinn initially tried to blame his actions on a group of lads when officers arrived at his Highland Terrace address. His story quickly unravelled when police recovered the laser pen tucked down the side of his sofa, prompting him to exclaim, “oh I’m f****d.”
Critical Safety Risk During Rescue Operation
The incident occurred at approximately 10:45pm whilst the NPAS helicopter was deployed in a time-critical missing person search in the Ferryhill area. Using their onboard tracking equipment, the crew were able to pinpoint the exact source of the laser and guide ground units directly to Quinn’s property.
“Every minute is valuable when searching for a missing person and Quinn’s actions not only put our NPAS colleagues at risk but also meant that valuable resources were taken away from the search dealing with Quinn’s stupidity,” said Sergeant Peter Newman of Ferryhill Neighbourhood Policing Team.
Quinn was arrested on charges of recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or a person in an aircraft. Following his arrest, he apologised and attributed his dangerous behaviour to “a combination of stupidity and intoxication.”
The court heard how Quinn had repeatedly directed the laser beam at the helicopter, causing interference with search activities and raising serious safety concerns for the crew. Judge Nathan Adams imposed the four-month custodial sentence as “a deterrent” to anyone considering similar reckless behaviour, alongside ordering Quinn to pay £154 in court costs.
Growing Threat to Aviation Safety
Captain Paul Watts, Head of Flight Operations at NPAS, emphasised the severe risks posed by laser attacks. “Targeting aircraft with lasers is dangerous. It puts our crews at risk and can jeopardise public safety on the ground,” he stated. “NPAS crews are equipped to trace the source of these incidents, and we work closely with police forces to ensure swift action is taken. There are serious consequences for those who choose to engage in this kind of behaviour.”
The sentencing comes amid ongoing concerns about laser attacks on aircraft across the UK. Under the Laser Misuse (Vehicles) Act 2018, offenders now face tougher penalties including up to five years in prison, unlimited fines, or both. The legislation removed the requirement for prosecutors to prove intent to endanger, making it significantly easier to secure convictions.
According to NPAS data, approximately 85 per cent of all reported laser attacks against helicopters in England and Wales target police aircraft. In 2022, there were 58 such attacks recorded, with 15 incidents reported between January and April 2023. The service has stated it will “always gather evidence of a laser attack, report incidents to the local police force and robustly pursue prosecution through the courts.
Dangerous Trend Continues
Quinn’s case represents just one of several recent prosecutions for laser attacks on police helicopters. In November 2022, a 58-year-old Wrexham man was jailed for six months after shining red and green laser beams at an NPAS Hawarden crew searching for suspects. Judge Nicola Saffman told him his actions “could have had devastating and tragic consequences,” adding that “a deterrent message needs to be sent that people who use lasers towards and in the vicinity of helicopters should expect to receive custodial sentences.”
More recently, in July 2024, a 19-year-old Sunderland man, Cameron Ronald Daniel Jackson, was sentenced to six months in prison and fined £154 for pointing a laser at an NPAS helicopter during an operation. The crew managed to maintain control and continue their work safely despite the dangerous distraction.
The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has long campaigned for stricter enforcement, noting that laser attacks can cause temporary or permanent eye damage, create dangerous distractions during critical flight phases, and potentially lead to catastrophic incidents. Dr Rob Hunter, Head of Flight Safety at BALPA, warned, “The public needs to recognise that lasers are not toys and shining one at an aircraft endangers all those on board and anyone on the ground.”
International Problem Requires Vigilance
The issue extends beyond UK borders, with pilots reporting nearly 13,000 laser strikes in the United States during 2024 alone. The Federal Aviation Administration has responded with fines of up to $11,000 (approximately £8,700) per violation and federal criminal penalties reaching five years in prison and $250,000 (£197,000) in fines.
In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority continues to work with law enforcement agencies to combat the threat. The 2018 legislation expanded protections beyond aircraft to include trains, ships, and road vehicles, whilst also protecting air traffic controllers from laser attacks.
T/Inspector Phil Emmerson from NPAS reinforced the gravity of such offences, stating, “Pointing a laser at an aircraft is not a joke, it’s dangerous and could lead to disaster. We’re pleased with the court’s decision and grateful to Durham Constabulary for their quick response and support.”
As laser pointers remain readily available and inexpensive, authorities stress the importance of public awareness about the severe consequences of misuse. With NPAS helicopters providing crucial 24/7 emergency support across England and Wales, predominantly searching for missing and vulnerable people, any interference with their operations can have life-threatening implications.
The message from law enforcement and aviation authorities remains clear: laser attacks on aircraft are not harmless pranks but serious criminal offences that endanger lives and will result in significant jail time for perpetrators.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
