Trowbridge man Gareth Cartwright was fined £120 when he appeared at North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court in Chippenham last Thursday for shining a laser pen at the Wiltshire Air Ambulance helicopter.

Cartwright, 30, of Ashmead, committed the offence in Orchard Road on November 22 last year.

As well as the fine, his laser pen was destroyed, and he was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Wiltshire Police inspector Lisette Harvey, based at Trowbridge Police Station, said: “It is important that people are taken to court for these types of offences.

“It is dangerous to the aircraft, could cause injury to those manning it and may prevent it from landing which means that someone will not get the urgent treatment they require.”