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06/04/2023
28-Year-Old Jailed For Shining Laser Beam At Police Helicopter
A 28-year-old man has been jailed for 4 months for shining a laser beam at a police helicopter in January this year.
Melvin Joyce admitted endangering the aircraft's safety during an incident in January of this year when he directed a laser at it from the Dunmore area of North Belfast on 21 January.
Air Support Unit targeted by the beam directed officers to a house entered by those suspected of involvement and an arrest was subsequently made. The defendant pleaded guilty to shining a laser beam towards a moving helicopter with the likelihood of dazzling or distracting the pilot and admitted a second count of recklessly or negligently endangering the safety of an aircraft.
He was sentenced to four months in custody for shining the laser.
Air Support Unit exists to try and protect people so to target us and endanger both our officers and the public is totally irresponsible and wrong. We hope this sends a clear message to those who would consider such reckless behaviour about the dangers of doing so and that we will pursue offenders who commit these acts.
Melvin Joyce admitted endangering the aircraft's safety during an incident in January of this year when he directed a laser at it from the Dunmore area of North Belfast on 21 January.
Air Support Unit targeted by the beam directed officers to a house entered by those suspected of involvement and an arrest was subsequently made. The defendant pleaded guilty to shining a laser beam towards a moving helicopter with the likelihood of dazzling or distracting the pilot and admitted a second count of recklessly or negligently endangering the safety of an aircraft.
He was sentenced to four months in custody for shining the laser.
Air Support Unit exists to try and protect people so to target us and endanger both our officers and the public is totally irresponsible and wrong. We hope this sends a clear message to those who would consider such reckless behaviour about the dangers of doing so and that we will pursue offenders who commit these acts.
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