Here is the US version. This fellow is a FORMER (now) AT&T fiber optic technician. Ie Laser safety trained. They held him without bail for a long time, asked for 15 years, got 4 as part of the plea bargin, and the judge knocked it down to time served and a felony probation. The guy had a great, high paying, cushy laser job, plus a deep background check for security, and he kissed it all goodbye. You would be suprised who contributed to his defense, and the magnitude of his legal costs. Just try getting a good job with a federal felony record, in the US. It aint easy. He lost the right to vote and own firearms, as well.
Quote:
The Banach Incident
The U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey, successfully prosecuted a Parsippany, New Jersey, man for pointing a laser into the cockpit of an aircraft on final approach to Teterboro Airport. (4) On December 29, 2004, a green laser (significantly more powerful than a red one and readily available for less than $120) was pointed into the cockpit of a charter aircraft with six passengers. The windscreen and cockpit were illuminated three times during final approach with the aircraft traveling at a speed of approximately 250 knots and an altitude of about 3,000 feet. Both pilots were disoriented and temporarily lost their night vision.
Two days after the incident, the pilots accompanied investigators in a Port Authority helicopter aerial surveillance flight to ascertain the laser location based on where the charter aircraft was at the time of illumination. During the helicopter's flight, it also was illuminated by a green laser, which led authorities to the home of David W. Banach. Mr. Banach denied intentionally aiming a laser at the aircraft, claiming first that his 7-year-old daughter was responsible and then later that he was using the laser to point out stars to the child on the night of the initial charter aircraft illumination.
During subsequent interviews, Mr. Banach recanted his explanation implicating his daughter and admitted to shining the beam at the helicopter and at the charter aircraft. No charges were filed for the helicopter incident because it was not considered a mass transit vehicle.
Mr. Banach was charged with three counts under the Patriot Act, Title 18, Sections 1993, 1001, and 1002. Under count 1, Interference with Pilots of an Aircraft, he faced a potential sentence of 20 years in prison. The Advisory U.S. Sentencing Guidelines allowed for a range of 18 to 24 months. As the guidelines were nonbinding, the judge imposed a sentence of 2 years' probation. U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie stated, "We accept the sentence imposed on Mr. Banach,... the needs of justice and deterrence had to be balanced. At no time did we believe Mr. Banach was involved in terrorism or that he should face 20 years in prison. Nonetheless, his conduct posed an immediate threat to innocent lives ... and Mr. Banach now stands as a convicted felon. Everyone is now on notice: anyone considering such purposeful conduct can expect the full weight of federal prosecution and a potentially lengthy prison sentence." (5)
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