Ken Knappett charged with shining laser pointer at Victoria Police helicopter

A middle-aged Footscray man is accused of shining a high-powered laser pointed at a Victoria Police helicopter.

A middle-aged man who allegedly left two Victoria Police pilots with eye injuries after shining a laser pointer at a police helicopter over Footscray last year is facing a potential stint behind bars.

Ken Knappett, 53, of Footscray, faced Melbourne Magistrates Court for the first time on Friday after allegedly shining a high-powered laser pointer at PolAir31 in November last year.

Mr Knappett is facing a raft of charges, including prejudicing the safe operation of an aircraft, and two counts of recklessly causing injury.

A Victoria Police helicopter. Picture: Jason Sammon

He is further charged with two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and one count of possessing a prohibited weapon.

If proven, the two counts of assaulting an emergency worker carry a mandatory six month jail sentence, unless Mr Knappett can establish a “special reason” for not going to jail.

Last year, police said the pilots were able to pinpoint Mr Knappett’s address after a laser beam shone into their cockpit over Footscray.

The pilots sent patrols to his home within minutes, and a search uncovered the laser pointer.

In a statement, police said the two pilots suffered eye injuries and required medical treatment for their injuries.

The police air wing in action on a search and rescue operation. Picture: Alison Wynd

The police air wing in action on a search and rescue operation. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Knappett was charged on summons in mid-February.

Mr Knappett is yet to indicate how he will plead to the charges.

He will return to court in August.