Levi Butcher: Kingswood man pleads not guilty to assault police officer, threaten aircraft

A man charged with a string of “unusual charges” – including assaulting the pilot of a police helicopter and pointing a powerful laser at an aircraft – has denied the allegations in court.

Levi Butcher leaves Penrith Local Court

A man charged with ten separate offences including assaulting the pilot of a police helicopter and pointing a powerful laser at an aircraft, has told a court he was planning to fight the ‘unusual’ charges.

Levi Butcher, 27, appeared at Penrith Local Court on Wednesday on charges of threatening safety of aircraft/persons on board, not being a police officer/special constable and possessing a police uniform and possession of a radio/communications device without authority.

The Kingswood man is also charged with possessing an unauthorised firearm, assaulting a law officer, having suspected stolen goods, two counts of possessing or using a prohibited weapon without a permit, and two counts of assault police officer.

Court documents state the alleged offending took place about 1am on April 2 when Butcher pointed a laser at an aircraft, in doing so threatening the safety of those on board. It is also alleged he assaulted the pilot of a Polair helicopter and two police officers.

From the same incident Butcher is also charged with possessing a laser pointer exceeding 5000 milliwatts, an extendible baton, a gel blaster, an SES radio and a NSW Police shirt.

At court on Wednesday Butcher was joined by three supporters as his lawyer told the magistrate his client planned on defending all allegations.

The lawyer also told the court it was possible there would be an application for the charges to be dealt with on mental health grounds.

Magistrate Gregory Moore remarked on the significant number of the charges which he described as being of an “unusual nature”, while noting “some of these charges carry up to 14 years (jail).”

The matter was adjourned and will return to Penrith Local Court on May 24.