A teenage boy has admitted shining a laser at the police helicopter as it was searching for a burglary suspect in Strood.

The 17-year-old, who is too young to be named, appeared at Medway Youth Court where he pleaded guilty to recklessly acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft.

The boy, who lives in Strood, was arrested after the crew of the Kent and Essex Police helicopter noticed the laser shining on the aircraft as it flew over the Commissioners Road.

The laser was shone directly into the front of the helicopter’s front windscreen and the pilot the had to steer away from it so it was not glaring into the front of the craft obscuring his view.

Other members of the crew managed to focus the helicopter's camera and thermal imaging equipment in the direction of the laser and identified three individuals walking near Rochester Cathedral.

They radioed officers on the ground who caught up with the trio in the High Street at the junction of Corporation Street.

Lynda Huppataz, prosecuting, said: “The three were approached and asked by the officer who asked which one of them shone the light at the helicopter, but when they all said it was none of them, she told them they would be searched.

“This is an extremely serious matter and this could have caused the helicopter to crash land - that could have killed everyone on board" - Judge Michael Kelly

“It was at this point the boy they held his hand out and the laser dropped from his sleeve into his hand. His friend then said ‘I told you not to do it’.”

The boy was arrested and admitted he’s shone the laser at the helicopter and told police he knew it was painful if it was shone in people’s eyes.”

District Judge Michael Kelly adjourned sentencing to allow pre-sentencing reports to be completed on the teenager.

Judge Kelly said: “This is an extremely serious matter and this could have caused the helicopter to crash land that could have killed everyone on board and this sort of action would normally attract a custodial sentence.”

The boy will next appear at the same court for sentencing on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 11 and was granted bail until then. Another 17-year-old boy also from Strood, who was also arrested at the time, got a youth caution for possession of drugs.