Freed, the laser lout who almost caused a helicopter disaster



A cannabis user who almost brought down a police helicopter after blinding its pilot with a laser has escaped jail.

Glen Porter, 20, who suffers from psychosis brought about by heavy use of the drug, shone the high-intensity laser into the helicopter's cockpit as it searched for a missing child.

Pilot Steven Cholerton described how he was forced to turn sharply after being dazzled by a 'bright and blinding green light' that lasted 'about three to five seconds'.

Glen Porter walks free from Ipswich Crown Court today. His five-month jail sentence was suspended for 18 months

He said he was briefly unable to see his control panel or visual references crucial to the safety of the helicopter, which was flying in the dark at an altitude of 1,000ft.

Despite admitting endangering an aircraft and facing up to two years in jail, Porter walked free from court on Monday after a judge heard 'the penny had dropped' and he had stopped taking drugs.

Judge John Devaux told Porter, whose own lawyer admitted he was 'not in his right mind' when he committed the offence, that it was 'quite plain what the consequences of this [offence] could have been, both to the occupant or occupants of the helicopter and to those on the ground'.

But he added: 'It would be highly disruptive to the progress you are making if you were sent to prison.

'It is clear that a team of people have worked hard to turn you about, with some signs of success, and the court would be reluctant to destroy what has been achieved.'

The pilot of this Suffolk police helicopter said he had to divert the aircraft after being dazzled by a blinding green light

Ipswich Crown Court heard how Mr Cholerton was flying the Suffolk Police helicopter in the early hours of April 27 this year when his cockpit was filled with green light.

Two crew members spotted the beam coming from a former nightclub car park in the city and, using thermal imaging equipment, managed to track Porter down.

The 14-year-old boy the helicopter crew had been searching for was later found safe and well.

The court also heard how Porter, of Ipswich, began taking illegal drugs including cocaine and Ecstasy at the age of 14 and how his use of cannabis has seriously affected his mental health, leading to psychosis.

He was admitted to St Clements Hospital, part of Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, on April 21 - six days before targeting the helicopter.

Tests show he has not taken cannabis since his last stay at the hospital in June.

Sentencing him to 20 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, as well as a 12-month supervision order, Judge Devaux also banned Porter from using or possessing a laser gun for 18 months. Porter, who refused to comment as he left court, was also warned he faces jail if caught with cannabis.

Keith Bill, of the British Airline Pilots Association, said: 'Pointing a laser at an aircraft is one of the most dangerous things you can do. We are delighted the perpetrators have gone to prison in recent cases because that is where they belong. We trust the court has made the right decision in this case.'

The case is the latest involving high-intensity lasers - often bought on the internet for as little as £10 - being used to blind pilots.

The pens, which became popular in the 1990s to use as pointers in presentations, usually present no risk to eyesight, although they can distract or startle people.

However, higher-powered versions can cause permanent vision damage. Experts have warned it is only a matter of time before a serious accident occurs.

Internet auction site eBay, where Porter bought his, is banning the sale of similar items.