This was indeed a very quick and effective police investigation.
The police have done their job, now we can expect the alleged offender to be dealt with by a feather duster when he appears in court on 13 July.
We can expect the usual legal mumbo-jumbo, that the offender has had a deprived upbringing and a sad life which caused his overnight brain implosion.
Nothing but a substantial jail sentence is the right penalty for this brain-dead halfwit who easily caused a loss of life.
The following media release has been issued by the
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services:
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Emergency Services
The Honourable Neil Roberts
21/06/2009
CHARGES LAID AFTER LASER 'HITS' HELICOPTER IN MAREEBA
A 17-year-old man has become the first person in Queensland to be charged under laws aimed at curbing the dangerous practice of pointing laser lights at aircraft, Police Minister Neil Roberts and Commissioner Bob Atkinson announced today.
Mr Roberts said the man was charged after he allegedly pointed a high intensity laser beam at an emergency services rescue helicopter early this morning.
"The man was charged with 'endangering the safe use of a vehicle by directing a beam of light from a laser'," Mr Roberts said.
"He is the first person in Queensland to be charged under legislation introduced by the Bligh Government last year - and updated in May this year - in a bid to curb this dangerous practice and prosecute those responsible.
"This type of behaviour has the potential to lead to tragedy and is completely unacceptable.
"Around 1.35am the Emergency Management Queensland chopper was attempting to land at the Mareeba Hospital helipad when a concentrated beam of green laser light allegedly 'hit' the aircraft four times.
The pilot landed the helicopter safely and immediately reported the incident and approximate location of the beam to police.
Police were dispatched to the area and commenced a comprehensive search during which time two men, a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old, were located in Byrnes Street, Mareeba.
One of the men was allegedly located in possession of a hand held high intensity laser beam.
Commissioner Atkinson said the quick thinking of the pilot and the control tower in relaying the information to police had greatly assisted in apprehending the man.
"Due to their quick thinking police were able to concentrate their search efforts and achieve a positive outcome. Incidents of this type are extremely dangerous and the potential for tragedy is great".
"These devices are not toys and these instances are not harmless pranks. Police are committed to locating and prosecuting those who want to place at risk the lives of air crews and their passengers," he said.
The man was issued with a Notice to Appear in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on July 13.
PAUL TULLY: paul@tully.org.au
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