UPDATED 1.27pm The man found guilty of shining a laser light into two aircraft and an air control tower has failed to appear in court for sentencing.

​A warrant is out for the arrest of Tane Hemopo – following his absence in the Christchurch District Court today.

The 39-year-old man admitted shining a laser into the cockpit of a passenger plane – endangering the lives of 121 passengers and crew.

Hemopo originally faced up to 14 years imprisonment, until last month when he pleaded guilty under the Civil Aviation Act – which carries up to a year’s imprisonment and up to $10,000 fine.

Hemopo maintains he never knew it was an offence. 

The builder from Hornby admitted two charges of endangering a New Zealand Post metro flight and a Virgin Airlines flight on April 5.

At around 12.30pm on April 5 Hemopo pointed the laser pointer at the tail of a New Zealand Post Metro Liner.

A few minutes later, while a Virgin Airlines flight was at a height on 20,000-feet, the defendant pointed the laser pen into the cockpit, dazzling the crew.

Lawyer Serena Bailey told the court that the defendant, who had previously not pleaded, would plead guilty to amended charges.

Crown Prosecutor Deidre Orchard said that the defendant had no previous history of this specific type of offending, however he had a past of a number of anti-social behavior type offences.

Ms Orchard said that it was "rather extraordinary for a man of his age to engage in such foolish and dangerous behaviour".

Ms Bailey said that in mitigation Hemopo had written a letter of apology to the control tower.