A "STUPID and selfish" man who shone a laser at a police helicopter after it was guided to his house has been jailed.

Andrew Holden, aged 47, pleaded guilty to endangering an aircraft on Friday. 

He was sentenced to six months in prison, with pilot Captain Robert Grainger saying the intense light left him "disorientated".

The incident happened at about 1.20am on October 13 last year when the National Police Air Service was sent to Chapelfield, Radcliffe - Holden's home.

No one was injured, but the incident "could easily" have ended in fatalities, according to Captain Grainger, and it also stopped the helicopter supporting police on the ground. 

Captain Grainger said: "The consequences of targeting an aircraft can be horrendous.

“During this incident I had to ensure the safety of my passengers, the general public and myself, whilst being disorientated by the intense light.

“Luckily this incident didn't result in any injuries, but it could quite easily have ended in fatalities.

“Sadly, and frustratingly, this is not a one-off event.

"I hope that the sentence handed down reflects the severity of such foolish and reckless actions and will serve as a deterrent to others."

Tactical flight officer PC Andy Shaw said: "As a result of one person’s stupid and selfish actions we had to stop our original tasking, meaning the valuable resource of the NPAS helicopter was taken away from supporting officers on the ground.

“Fortunately, on this occasion it didn't greatly impact on the incident we were dealing with or have any significant impact on the public, but we could have been involved in an incident whereby someone's life was in danger.

"Additionally shining a laser into a helicopter could itself have had catastrophic consequences.

“The technology on board our helicopter means we are able to track individuals quite easily and as this case shows those involved in such activity will be caught and prosecuted."