AN officer told how he was temporarily blinded after a teenager shone a laser pen into the cockpit of a police helicopter, a court heard.

The helicopter was scrambled after the 17-year-old shone the laser at a holiday jet with 228 people on board.

The pilot of the Boeing 757 Jet2.com flight from Crete to Newcastle reported seeing a blue light being directed into the cockpit, and air traffic control alerted police.

The helicopter crew located the source of the laser to the Pelton Fell area of Chester-le Street.

PC Jonathan Smailes, from Bishop Auckland, said: “As the laser was shone at the aircraft I was dazzled and no longer able to view the property with my naked eyes.

“The laser was shone at us constantly on and off for ten to 15 minutes while we waited for ground officers.”

Consett Magistrates’ Court heard the teenager, who has not been identified because of his age, had been smoking cannabis and targeted both aircraft from his bedroom skylight.

The court heard that the teenager told investigating officers: “I didn’t know it could travel that far and I never meant to cause any danger to anyone.”

He admitted two charges of recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or person.

The incidents happened shortly before 10pm on September 14.

Suzanne Hanson, in mitigation, made no representations after District Judge Michael Wood said he agreed with the recommendations of a pre-sentence report.

The boy was sentenced to a youth rehabilitation order with 12 months of supervision and 60 hours of community work.