Laser Daft! Man Jailed for Blinding Police Helicopter During Critical Search
Nicholas Mutter, 41, has been locked up for eight months after he recklessly shone a green laser at a police helicopter, forcing the crew to abandon a vital search for a missing person. The dangerous stunt took place in the early hours of March 19 in Trowbridge.
Laser Beam Blinds Pilot Mid-Search
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter was hunting for a high-risk missing individual when Mutter targeted it with a laser from his home on Swift Drive. The bright green beam dazzled the pilot, making it impossible to read instruments and forcing an abrupt end to the mission.
The pilot quickly pinpointed the source of the laser. Police swooped on the address and found Mutter with the offending device. He was arrested and charged after admitting to shining the laser at the aircraft.
Police Slam ‘Incredibly Reckless’ Behaviour
“Mutter’s irresponsible actions forced the pilot to call off his mission, potentially putting at risk the life of the person the crew was trying to find,” said PS Evangeline Templar, the investigating officer. “We take this kind of behaviour incredibly seriously and won’t hesitate to ensure culprits face justice.”
Captain Paul Watts, Head of Flight Operations at NPAS, warned about the severe dangers lasers pose to air crews and the public. “Anything that distracts a pilot while airborne is a huge safety risk,” he said. NPAS uses advanced camera and mapping technology to track laser sources, ensuring offenders are reported and prosecuted.
Warning to Would-Be Laser Cowboys
“Anyone foolhardy enough to shine a laser at air crews should expect to face court and a prison sentence,” Captain Watts added.
This swift arrest and sentencing sends a clear message: messing with police air operations is no joke and carries hefty consequences.
