Is there anybody out there? Man guilty of shining laser pen at police helicopter claims he was hunting for UFOs
March 28, 2011
Derek Brown shone a laser pen at a police helicopter
A man said he shone a powerful laser pen at a police helicopter by accident while he was 'looking for UFOs.'
Derek Brown, 27, pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering an aircraft but told Manchester Magistrates Court that there had been sightings of UFOs in the area and he hadn't realised it was a police helicopter.
Miss Claire Parrott, defending, said: “He was out on his own, walking to the shops – there had been talk in the area of UFOs. He didn't realise it was a police helicopter.
When he did he put his hands up to say sorry.” Mr Brown, of Sankey Grove, Blackley, has been told he could go to jail after the prosecution told the court his actions were 'very dangerous'.
Miss Kerry Bell, prosecuting, said: “With more difficult weather conditions it could have proved catastrophic.”
Speaking outside court, Mr Brown said he hadn't meant to cause danger to the public. “I never realised how dangerous it was. All these stories were in my mind that have freaked me out for a bit. I've said sorry and I've written a letter to the court,” he said.
He is due to be sentenced at Manchester Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Is there anybody out there? Man guilty of shining laser pen at police helicopter claims he was hunting for UFOs | Manchester Evening News - menmedia.co.uk