Mark Andrew Golka given suspended one year sentence for pointing high powered laser at police helicopter

A drunk man who pointed a laser 2000 times more powerful than the legal limit at a police helicopter has been spared prison.

A drunk man who fired a laser more than 2000 times stronger than the legal limit at a police helicopter several times in the space of a few minutes has been spared jail.

Mark Andrew Golka, 49, shone the laser four times in the space of seven minutes at the helicopter just before 10.30pm on November 20, 2020.

On Monday, Chief Judge Michael Evans said Golka’s actions had risked the safety of the crew of the police helicopter with potentially “catastrophic” consequences.

The police helicopter guided officers on the ground to Golka’s front door where he emerged holding the laser pointer to once again fire it at the helicopter.

Chief Judge Evans said Golka had tried to fire the laser pointer at one of the arresting officers and narrowly avoided hitting him in the eye.

Golka pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of committing an act likely to cause harm and possessing a prohibited weapon.

A third charge of prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft was dropped after negotiations between the prosecution and defence.

Mark Golka leaves Adelaide District court with supporters, charged with an act likely to cause harm and possession of a prescribed weapon. Picture: Morgan Sette

Golka said he had purchased the 2008.2 milliwatt laser over eBay to check his fence line.

A laser pointer stronger than one milliwatt is a prohibited weapon in South Australia.

“Shining a strong light at any aircraft is dangerous and could have had catastrophic results,” Chief Judge Evans said.

“This was exacerbated because it was at night and the pilot’s eyes had adapted to the night time vision.”

Craig Caldicott, for Golka, argued his client had not been aware it was a police helicopter when he fired the laser.

Chief Judge Evans said he accepted that submission and would take into account that Golka had been drunk and taking painkillers for an injured back when he fired the laser.

The day after the incident Golka went to the Christies Beach Police Station to apologise to the officers in the helicopter.

Golka received a suspended sentence for driving dangerously to escape police pursuit in 2018.

His suspended sentence bond had expired by the time of the new charge.

During sentencing submissions Mr Caldicott urged Chief Judge Evans to impose another suspended sentence on the father of two.

Golka was sentenced to one year and 23 days in prison with a non-parole period of seven months.

Chief Judge Evans suspended the sentence but ordered Golka to be on a good behaviour bond for 18 months and complete community service.