A LASER pointer purchased online to tease a family pet has cost a Tamworth man much more in court.
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Ian William Brown appeared in Tamworth Local Court for the first time this week after he came under notice by police during a random traffic stop.
Officers had cause to search Brown’s vehicle and found a slingshot and a laser pointer hidden inside, triggering two charges and a court date.
“What’s he doing with a laser pointer?” Magistrate Michael Holmes asked.
“He ordered it online to essentially ... to tease the cat,” solicitor Wendy McAuliffe said.
Brown admitted to possessing a prohibited weapon without a permit and having custody of a laser pointer in a public place. The court heard that during a clean-up of his room, Brown just “threw it in his car and forgot about it”.
“It’s more immaturity that brings him before the court than anything else ... and untidiness,” Ms McAuliffe said.
Ms McAuliffe said Brown, who was supported by his family in court, never purchased the item to point it at cars, but just to annoy the cat, and his “mother and sister with it”.
Mr Holmes said the offences had a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment, because they were a menace to society.
“Particularly down in Sydney, that’s why the legislation is there,” he said.
“There is a whole history why these items are banned.
“The laser pointers are a real problem and the slingshots are another problem.”
Mr Holmes fined Brown $1000 for each of the items and ordered them to be forfeited.
“Those laser pointers can only get you into trouble,” he said.
“Don’t use anything like that again.”