‘Bored and stupid’: Woman convicted for pointing laser at moving police car in Geraldton

A woman who was “bored” and “made a stupid mistake” has been sentenced in Geraldton Magistrate’s Court after directing an illegal laser pointer at a moving police car. On August 17, Ashley May Watts was sentenced to an eight-month intensive supervision order over the incident and fined $700 for unrelated drug charges. Prosecuting Sergeant Tanya Wentzel said the 33-year-old was staying on the sixth floor of the Geraldton Apartment Hotel on March 3 when she took a class-three blue-beamed illegal laser pointer out of her bag and began pointing it into the street below. “Watts observed a moving police vehicle and directed the laser beam on to the car for 10 to 20 seconds,” she said. “When police located the pair she made a full admission making comments that she was bored, f...ing around and made a stupid mistake.” Sgt Wentzel said the incident should be treated as a serious matter because the outcome could have been worse for the officers involved. Watts’ lawyer, Faye Sellers, said her client was not aware what she was doing was a serious offence and didn’t want to hurt anyone. “She’s in quite a vulnerable place at the moment,” she said. “All of Ms Watts’ offending occurred during a period that was marred by family violence. At the moment, the toxic relationship is over.” Watts was convicted in June of causing fear or alarm to people in conveyance, two counts of driving under the influence of methamphetamine, and possession of small amounts of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Sentencing Watts, Magistrate Chris Miocevich said her actions were extremely stupid. “This is the sort of thing, it can cause numerous issues later if a driver is blinded,” Mr Miocevich said. “For the drug matters you’re lucky this is the first instance and can be dealt with by way of fines. “The second offence carries mandatory loss of licence. “For the more serious matter of causing fear or alarm you will receive an eight-month intensive supervision order.” For her remaining charges Watts was fined $700 and ordered to pay $559.90 in fees and court costs.