Jailed for aircraft grab

A man was sentenced to a year in prison yesteday for endangering an aircraft after grabbing a helicopter as it took off in Bristol.

Houshang Jafari, 58, became "extremely angry" after the helicopter landed near his flat, causing debris to hit his car, Bristol Crown Court was told. He grabbed one of its skid bars as the pilot tried to take off with four passengers. The aircraft, which was 6ft off the ground, flew away safely.