Mark Andrew Golka shone an illegally powerful laser at a police helicopter four times in seven minutes

A man heavily consumed both alcohol and painkillers before aiming a laser – 2000 times the legal wattage – at a police helicopter, a court has heard.

A man was drunk and using pain medication for his back when he fired a laser 2000 times the legal strength at a police helicopter four times in the space of seven minutes, a court has heard.

Mark Andrew Golka, 49, pleaded guilty to an aggravated charge of committing an act likely to cause harm and possessing a prohibited weapon.

On Wednesday, during sentencing submissions, the District Court heard Golka had injured his back in the months before the incident and was using two different kinds of heavy duty painkillers.

Craig Caldicott, for Golka, said the effects of the painkillers combined with his client drinking “half a bottle and half a case of beer” led to “double the impact on his thought processes”.

Chief Judge Michael Evans heard Golka had purchased the high powered laser pointer online and had not been aware it was illegal to possess.

“Because he purchased it so easily he assumed it was legal to possess,” Mr Caldicott said.

The Chief Judge said the laser pointer was “2000 times over the legal wattage”.

Mark Golka, centre, leaves Adelaide District Court with supporters. He pleaded guilty over shining a laser at a police helicopter. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

Just before 10.30pm on November 20, 2020, a police helicopter was flying over the Woodcroft area when it was hit by the laser.

The court heard the crew of the aircraft recorded having the laser shone at them four times in seven minutes.

Police in the aircraft identified where the laser had come from and narrowed in on Golka’s property.

An initial statement by police reported that Golka was found holding the laser pointer in his hand at the house where he was arrested and charged.

Mr Caldicott said Golka attended the Christies Beach Police Station the next day to give a written apology to the officers on the aircraft.

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.

Mr Caldicott urged the Chief Judge to give Golka another suspended sentence, saying the father of two was a recipient of Work Cover for his injured back which would dry up if he was jailed.

A prosecutor agreed with Mr Caldicott and said the court could consider allowing Golka to serve his sentence on home detention bail.

Golka will be sentenced in September.