Man jailed for shining laser at chopper

[Westerntribal]

http://news.smh.com.au/man-jailed-for-shining-laser-at-chopper/20080408-24lp.html

Two years and ten months .. non parole period of ten months ...for "prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft and to a string of firearms offences ? " :D

Does anyone know how they caught this guy ?
I'm guessing it would be near impossible to pinpoint where a laser pointer is coming from when you are in the air. As the article says there have be 6 incidents in the last two weeks in Sydney with no one being caught.

[NLJ]

It's easier than you might think to locate the origin of a laser whilst airborne. If you get targetted it's obvious where it is coming from, and if you are in a police helicopter you can very quickly get the camera pointing in the appropriate direction and get ground patrols to the address. If there is sufficient visible moisture in the air you get a well defined light beam pointing at the offender.

[Westerntribal]

a bit more searching and Ive found another story online which may hold the answers.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/08/2211257.htm

' He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to almost three years in jail, but told the court the police craft had shone its searchlight at him first. '

this guy must be a real moron ..

[Heliringer]

He was given the sentence for the laser and a STRING of firearms offenses. He had a rifle and silencer in his car when he was caught. I really don't think the 3 years was only for the laser offense.
Good to see another scumbag off the streets:D

[PlankBlender]

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=321641

PB