Craig 6703 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 A 21-year-old man from Greater Manchester has been jailed for four months for shining a laser pen at a police helicopter. Dean Bottomley, of Stockport, pleaded guilty to endangering an aircraft during an earlier hearing at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. The court heard he bought the £30 pen on the internet and pointed it at the aircraft to see how far it could reach. Passing sentence, the judge urged him to "get out of this stupidity phase". The court heard that the helicopter was flying over Heaton Norris in Stockport on 16 April when it was targeted by a bright green laser. The light, which was being shone from the back bedroom window of a semi-detached house below, lit up the whole cockpit. After the pilot called for back-up, officers were directed to the house on Larwood Avenue and Bottomley admitted he was responsible. Speaking after the hearing, Supt John O'Hare, of Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Support Section, said Bottomley's actions "almost defied belief". "Once the beam came into contact with the helicopter the beam lit up the cockpit, meaning the aircrew were momentarily unable to see the dials," he said. "This could clearly have had disastrous consequences for the helicopter and its crew. "Thankfully, the pilot's quick thinking and impressive command of the aircraft ensured he managed to retain control. "In different circumstances this incident could have resulted in a serious injury or even death. "People might think that this is some sort of amusing prank, but I can assure you that it could have had deadly consequences." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7475530.stm I'm not condoning what he's done, he's been an absolute twat... but a 4 month prison sentence for that when other, more serious crimes are dealt with without custodial sentencing??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Naomi Campbell deserved jailing according to you, aye? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 What happened to the guy who was lamping for rabbits with his kid when a police helicopter came and hovered over them, he waved his torch to show they were there and a few mins later a ground patrol came and arrested him for doing it. I can't remember if he was executed for it or not, although he can probably count himself lucky that he wasn't shot on sight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Naomi Campbell deserved jailing according to you, aye? I still don't understand why she wasn't done under anti-terror legislation, like the myriad of other people who have been in similar situations have been. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Naomi Campbell deserved jailing according to you, aye? I still don't understand why she wasn't done under anti-terror legislation, like the myriad of other people who have been in similar situations have been. I never get in the cabin and sit with the pilot anymore. Probably be arrested if I asked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Naomi Campbell deserved jailing according to you, aye? She deserves jail for her crimes against humanity. Different issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Police state innit. Naomi Campbell deserved jailing according to you, aye? She deserves jail for her crimes against humanity. Different issue. Racist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 What happened to the guy who was lamping for rabbits with his kid when a police helicopter came and hovered over them, he waved his torch to show they were there and a few mins later a ground patrol came and arrested him for doing it. I can't remember if he was executed for it or not, although he can probably count himself lucky that he wasn't shot on sight. Torch is no good. SAM is more what you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 What happened to the guy who was lamping for rabbits with his kid when a police helicopter came and hovered over them, he waved his torch to show they were there and a few mins later a ground patrol came and arrested him for doing it. I can't remember if he was executed for it or not, although he can probably count himself lucky that he wasn't shot on sight. Torch is no good. SAM is more what you need. I must admit I'm a bit surprised that police don't have chaff and other anti-missile measures fitted as standard to their choppers in some parts of the UK..... and weapons..... have they never seen Blue Thunder?!?! Plus I reckon it's giving criminals a bit too much information, forget about developing that thermal stealth suit (or just hiding under a thick bit of glass), all you need to send a pursuing police helicopter wheeling (probably in a Hollywood fireball style) from the sky is a laser pointer and a steady hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 71 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 What happened to the guy who was lamping for rabbits with his kid when a police helicopter came and hovered over them, he waved his torch to show they were there and a few mins later a ground patrol came and arrested him for doing it. I can't remember if he was executed for it or not, although he can probably count himself lucky that he wasn't shot on sight. Torch is no good. SAM is more what you need. I must admit I'm a bit surprised that police don't have chaff and other anti-missile measures fitted as standard to their choppers in some parts of the UK..... and weapons..... have they never seen Blue Thunder?!?! Plus I reckon it's giving criminals a bit too much information, forget about developing that thermal stealth suit (or just hiding under a thick bit of glass), all you need to send a pursuing police helicopter wheeling (probably in a Hollywood fireball style) from the sky is a laser pointer and a steady hand. I thought it was all about starting little fires to blend into?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Bizzys are full of shit. No wonder the jails are full Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob W 0 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Trying to blind a Helicopter pilot is the same as shooting at him - what would be the reaction if the damn thing had crashed on some houses? Bloody idiot is serving a long term so that the next eejit with a laser pointer might think for a second Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Trying to blind a Helicopter pilot is the same as shooting at him - what would be the reaction if the damn thing had crashed on some houses? Bloody idiot is serving a long term so that the next eejit with a laser pointer might think for a second Or in fact probably won't. But surely the same logic would apply to muggers, burglars or to people that actually have murdered people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. I was only talking about this particular case. It's difficult comment on examples of other cases you've provided sketchy details for to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. Suspect what you fucking like. Oh and feel free to base it on zero evidence while you're at it. (A cardinal sin at all other times you perfect hypocrite) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. I was only talking about this particular case. It's difficult comment on examples of other cases you've provided sketchy details for to be honest. That's all there was - guy was lamping with a (his?) kid in a field, police came over and hovered he flashed he torch up to show they were there, few mins later a ground patrol turned up and arrested him for doing it (I assume for the same charges as this case). He went to court over it, don't know the outcome though. I just think it's bizarre that you can be made an example of over something that might have happened, but when you actually do something terrible that's well sort of ok/expected/not something to be made an example of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Isn't this an unusual case, so it's setting a precedent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. Suspect what you fucking like. Oh and feel free to base it on zero evidence while you're at it. (A cardinal sin at all other times you perfect hypocrite) Are you saying a laser pointer would do what he actually said it would do? I'm not so sure, doesn't mean it wouldn't be dangerous though, or do you actually believe evidence is "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"? Honestly I appreciate your obsession with me, I really do, but your attempts to "attack" over everything and anything are just making you look like a moron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Isn't this an unusual case, so it's setting a precedent? I think it's relatively common (whether they get an arrest each time though, maybe not so common), in fact I remember odd cases like this going back 10+ years or more (there was definitely one in Liverpool in 96-97ish), might be for the area though I guess. Probably just doesn't make the media much - actually there was a woman murdering an adolescent case just yesterday come to think of it, not sure how much press that has got. The case with the guy and the torch was only last year as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manc-mag 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. Suspect what you fucking like. Oh and feel free to base it on zero evidence while you're at it. (A cardinal sin at all other times you perfect hypocrite) Are you saying a laser pointer would do what he actually said it would do? I'm not so sure, doesn't mean it wouldn't be dangerous though, or do you actually believe evidence is "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"? "So you agree I'm RIGHT?" etc etc etc etc etc ad infinitum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest alex Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Isn't this an unusual case, so it's setting a precedent? I think it's relatively common (whether they get an arrest each time though, maybe not so common), in fact I remember odd cases like this going back 10+ years or more (there was definitely one in Liverpool in 96-97ish), might be for the area though I guess. Probably just doesn't make the media much - actually there was a woman murdering an adolescent case just yesterday come to think of it, not sure how much press that has got. The case with the guy and the torch was only last year as well. Really common, aye. Honestly man Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fop 1 Posted June 29, 2008 Share Posted June 29, 2008 Rare I know, but I agree with Rob in the main. It was a fucking stupid and dangerous act. It was (although the example of the guy with the torch wasn't really), but the "example" context should work in so many other ways (is mugging not a stupid and dangerous act? Is murder? etc.). I do suspect the pilot probably over egged the effects a bit as well. Suspect what you fucking like. Oh and feel free to base it on zero evidence while you're at it. (A cardinal sin at all other times you perfect hypocrite) Are you saying a laser pointer would do what he actually said it would do? I'm not so sure, doesn't mean it wouldn't be dangerous though, or do you actually believe evidence is "the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth"? "So you agree I'm RIGHT?" etc etc etc etc etc ad infinitum? "No I think you've got issues." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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