A MOUNT Isa teenager was fined yesterday for shining a laser at the driver of a Queensland Ambulance vehicle.
Zachary James Lewis Henson was charged with one count of possessing restricted items and one count of endangering the safe use of a vehicle by directing a beam of light from a laser in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court yesterday.
The court heard police communication lines had been contacted by the Queensland Ambulance Service at 8.40pm on February 22 after a green laser light was directed at one of their vehicles.
Police attended the Mount Isa lookout where the light was coming from and spoke to a witness who had said two young men had the device as they were the only people at the location.
Henson removed the black laser, which the court heard had the appearance of a pen, from his top pocket when asked by police and had told them he bought the item overseas recently.
The 17-year-old admitted to shining the light at cars passing by but had said he was simply testing how far the light could reach.
Magistrate Rod Madsen told Henson of the dangers involved with shining lasers at drivers, particularly ambulance officers, but said due to limited history and his young age he would not record a conviction.
Mr Madsen gave Henson a $700 fine for both offences and ordered the laser be forfeited to stop future use.
