Laser accused appears
THIS is the teenager who is the first person in Queensland to be charged with pointing a laser at an aircraft.
Paul James Miller, 17, appeared in Mareeba Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with directing a laser beam at the Emergency Management Queensland helicopter at Mareeba on June 21.
He was also charged with one drug offence and one count of littering.Police allege Mr Miller targeted the pilot and directed the beam at the rescue helicopter four times.
The pilot managed to land the craft safely and reported the matter to air traffic controllers in Cairns.
Mr Miller was later apprehended by Mareeba police allegedly in possession of a hand-held laser device at a service station on Byrnes St.
Mr Miller is the first person charged in Queensland with the offence, which carries a maximum sentence of two years, following the tightening of laws in May 2009.
He was not required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to August 3.
The first laser conviction in Australia was handed down in the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2007.
A man was sentenced to three years’ jail and an appeal in 2008 was overturned.
In South Australia, the maximum penalty is 14 years’ jail.
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Laser charge: Paul James Miller acknowledges the camera as he attends court yesterday. Picture: JENNIFER ELIOT
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