Man denies pointing laser at aircraft, control tower
A 38-year-old man denies shining a laser light at a passenger plane and the Christchurch International Airport control tower and has been remanded in custody for trial.
Tane Hemopo, of Hornby, a project manager for a fit-out company, is charged with shining the light on the night of April 5, with reckless disregard for the safety of the Virgin Airlines captain, which was likely to cause danger to the 121 passengers and crew on the inbound flight.
He is also charged with shining the laser pointer at the control tower when it was likely to cause danger to aircraft operating from the airport.
Defence counsel Serina Bailey told Christchurch District Court Judge Alistair Garland that Hemopo entered not guilty pleas to both charges and elected a judge-alone trial.
Judge Garland remanded him in custody to July 25 for a case review hearing.
Category: News
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