He Told Police He Was "Stupid"

20-year-old Jomir Ali has avoided jail time after admitting he shone a laser beam into the cockpit of a police helicopter. The Oxford, England resident told police when he was caught he had been "stupid."

The BBC reports that Ali has been sentenced by Oxford Magistrates Court to 200 hours community service for potentially endangering the helicopter crew, even though magistrates said in court the result of his prank could have been "catastrophic." 

"This incident could have resulted in a very serious accident," said British police invstigator Neil Bouse, who was assigned to the case. "Shining a laser at an aircraft can dazzle and disorientate the pilot - the front windscreen has thousands of tiny scratches on its surface, which diffract the laser beam in every direction. Essentially, the laser beam lights up the whole of the windscreen in a bright green glow, which can potentially blind the pilot."

The officers on board the helo both suffered mild eye irritation. Ali said "What I did was just shameful. I do feel bad really to be honest and I do regret it."

FMI: http://www.ioxfordshire.co.uk/profile/125400/Oxford/Oxford-Magistrates-Court/