A CLYDEBANK man who shone a laser at a police helicopter searching for a missing woman has been told by a sheriff that he may not have been “criminally responsible”.

Gary Cameron, of Trafalgar Street, didn’t even stop his attack on the chopper as police arrived in his garden and told him to put it down.

The 42-year-old previously admitted at Dumbarton Sheriff Court to what was described by Sheriff William Gallacher as potentially leading to “catastrophe”.

But when he reappeared for sentence on Friday, the sheriff, having considered a psychiatric report on Cameron, said: “The court will require further information from psychiatrist Dr McKeever.”

The court was previously told that around 9.10pm on September 5, 2016, police were informed of a missing woman in the Clydebank area and at 9.35pm, the police helicopter was dispatched to help with the search.

At 9.50pm, the crew of the aircraft informed their control that were being “subjected to repeated dazzling” as a result of a laser being shone at them.

Police on the ground were asked to help trace the source of the laser, which was coming from a property in Trafalgar Street.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard how officers on the ground were directed there and Gary Cameron was found in possession of a class two laser product.

Depute Fiscal David McDonald said: “He continued to direct the laser product towards the helicopter, despite being asked to desist by officers on the ground.

“They approached him and informed him he was under arrest.”

Sheriff Gallacher, noting the charge at the time, stated Cameron shone the laser “to the danger” of crew and others.

Mr McDonald added: “It seems this is an offence of the utmost gravity – the potential of damage to the eyes, disorientation, potential of crashing.

“Cameron’s actions showed ‘complete disregard for the crew’ and police could speak to the distraction and the act could endanger them and those on the ground if the aircraft lost control.”

Class two lasers have an output below one milliwatt and are sold as “pointers”. Though they are relatively weak, they are still distracting and it is illegal to direct them at aircraft or vehicles.

On Friday the sheriff told Cameron: “You know this is a serious situation. If you did not have proper understanding of the offence it may be the case that you were not criminally responsible for your actions at that time.”

Cameron was recently discharged from Gartnavel Hospital after seeking treatment “off his own back”. Cameron had previously worked in the oil services and had “severe mental health” issues, the court heard from his defence team.

Sheriff Gallacher further deferred sentence until September 7 to obtain a supplementary psychiatric report. Bail was continued.