William McGuigan forced the pilot to deviate the aircraft when he lit up the cockpit in a green laser attack.

Experienced pilot Steve Kitchen moved away from the beam and police officers on board, Kirsty Nelis and Nicholas Whyte filmed the incident.

Officers on the ground then spotted McGuigan shining the laser from an open bedroom window in the Cambuslang area, on October 31, 2012.

The 17-year-old later told police : “I wasn’t shining it directly at the guy, I wasn’t going to try and kill somebody.” McGuigan pled guilty last week at Glasgow Sheriff Court to culpably and recklessly directing the laser beam towards the then Strathclyde Police helicopter, causing Captain Kitchen’s vision to be impaired and him to take action.

The court was told the helicopter was sent to the Cambuslang area after reports were made to the police of an unrelated incident.

Procurator fiscal depute John Bedford, told the court: “The police helicopter was put in to use to carry out airborne investigations.

“The helicopter was piloted by captain Steve Kitchen, a commercial pilot with many years experience and also experience in the Royal Navy.” He told the court that PCs Nicholas Whyte and Kirsty Nelis were also on the aircraft.

Mr Bedford said: “During that investigation the pilot immediately was targeted by a high power green laser.

“That laser illuminated the cockpit of the aircraft. Captain Kitchen was fully aware of the risks of such laser attacks and he immediately, having control of the helicopter at that time, took evasive action.

“He piloted the helicopter away from this beam.” The court was told PC Nelis and her colleague then recorded the beam shining into the cockpit.

It was soon identified that the laser was coming from a property in Cambuslang, North Lanarkshire, and police on the ground were sent to the house.

Mr Bedford added: “Whilst outside on Lorne Terrace two officers observed the accused William McGuigan at an open bedroom window. The accused was found to be holding a laser pen.” McGuigan’s mum let the police into the house and while talking to her, the teenager told them “it was me”.

When cautioned and charged by police he told them: “I wasn’t shining it directly at the guy, I wasn’t going to try and kill somebody.” The court was told Captain Kitchen provided further information about laser pens after the incident.

Mr Bedford said there are “various dangers when operating laser pens” and there are significant risks, potentially of a pilot being dazzled at low altitude at night which is “extremely hazardous”.

The court heard that could result in a glare or disruption or even temporary flash blindness to the pilot.

The sheriff had it confirmed by Mr Bedford that PC Kirsty Nelis lost her life in the tragic incident at the Clutha, when she was on board the helicopter that crashed into the roof of the pub.

Sheriff Andrew Normand deferred sentence on McGuigan, , from Whitlawburn, Cambuslang, until next month for reports and continued his bail.

FORMER St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School and St Paul’s Primary pupil PC Kirsty Nelis was one of 10 people who died when a Police Scotland helicopter — a Eurocopter EC135 T2 — fell from the sky and crash-landed into the Clutha pub on Friday, November 29, last year.

The 36-year-old and her Air Support Unit colleagues Constable Tony Collins, 43, and pilot Captain Dave Traill, 51, were among those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

A subsequent report by the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) published in February concluded that the aircraft suffered a double engine failure but so far experts have been unble to explain the exact cause. The long and complex investigation is continuing and expected to conclude later this year.