helihub
The sentences certainly look to me like they are escalating.
That's how most countries are combating the serious problem of laser attacks, and so was the UK until last year. Straight to prison, not suspended, was the norm until the CAA introduced a new offence with a maximum penalty of a fine.
Court of Appeal September 2008
"In passing sentence the learned judge said the message should go out that people who target helicopters in this idiotic and dangerous way should expect to receive custodial sentences.
"Few cases of this sort come before the court, in part because it is often difficult to apprehend those on the ground. In our judgment the learned judge was right to make it clear that custodial sentences will usually follow when offenders committing this offence are caught."
So what did the UK CAA do?
CAA Press Release January 2010
"New powers to tackle aircraft l@ser crime introduced"
A new law that makes shining a light or l@ser at an aircraft a specific criminal offence has been introduced.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which initiated the new law, said it was in response to the growing number of incidents involving l@ser devices being shone at airliners and helicopters near British airports.
Previously, anyone caught shining a l@ser at an aircraft may have been charged with ‘recklessly endangering an aircraft’.
Offenders may now be charged with ‘shining a light at an aircraft in flight so as to dazzle the pilot’
Sounds good - except the maximum penalty for the new offence is a fine!
Thankfully, some CPS prosecutors are sensibly ignoring the new offence and still charging endangering. Maximum penalty = prison.
H.