AN 18-year-old youth accused of flashing a high-powered lamp up to ten times at a police helicopter was spared custody on Wednesday.

Kevin Riley, living on a travellers’ site at Bangor, Gwynedd, admitted acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, obstructing a police officer and behaving in a threatening manner.

Caernarfon crown court heard last July the helicopter crew were 800ft above Bangor, at night, searching for a missing person judged to be at high risk of suicide.

The pilot noticed a beam of light.

Prosecuting barrister John Philpotts said :”The pilot was unable to see clearly the high ground around him so climbed to avoid any risk of collision.”

The important mission was disrupted.

Riley had a hunting lamp and a lurcher dog when detained by a police patrol.

He’d sent a child to the travellers’ site for assistance and a Taser was drawn to arrest the defendant, Mr Philpotts added.

Judge Huw Rees imposed six months detention, suspended for a year.

Riley must do 180 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity.

Judge Rees told him :"This is a serious offence. It could have had real consequences for the occupants of the police helicopter. It could have caused a crash.”

He said Riley had the prospect of work on a farm at Carnforth, Lancashire, and he wouldn’t blight his life at the age of 18.

James Coutts, defending, said Riley needed counselling to address issues in his life. He wasn’t without hope.