Man avoids jail after shining lasers at police helicopter
A man who repeatedly shone lasers at a police helicopter from a cemetery avoided jail today.
Ross Wilson, 43, illuminated green and red pointers at air support officers from the burial site in Glasgow's Lambhill on April 22, 2021.
The officers had to overt their eyes due to the brightness which lit up the cockpit.
Wilson, of the city's Drumchapel, was later caught with metal arrows after sitting at a gravestone.
Wilson pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpable and reckless conduct.
He also admitted being in possession of two metal tipped arrows without a reasonable excuse or lawful authority.
Sheriff Iain Fleming told him: "Your behaviour was juvenile an could have had catastrophic consequences for others."
Wilson was tagged for 225 days keeping him indoors between 7pm and 7am except on a Sunday.
He was also ordered to do 225 hours of unpaid work and put under supervision for one year.
The court heard before midnight officers Alan Henderson and Nicholas Whyte were on duty while airborne.
Prosecutor Sarah Latta said: "The crew reported to the control room that they were being illuminated by a green laser light which they identified as coming from Lambhill cemetery.
"The inside of the cockpit was suddenly bright and illuminated.
"Each crew member had to turn their heads away from the light to protect their eyes.
"Using the thermal imaging camera, it was identified that Wilson was directing the laser light from the cemetery."
Wilson then flashed a red laser light at the helicopter.
Officers captured Wilson place items near the base of a large tree before moving to sit close to the gravestone.
Ground officers traced Wilson and arrested him before stating: "That wisnae myself."
Wilson then told the officers that he had "bow and arrows" in his backpack.
The two metal tipped arrows were then recovered.
The green and red lasers were later found at the large tree.
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