A MAN and a youth who caused mayhem when they shone laser beams into the eyes of two train drivers pulling into Newport station were sentenced yesterday.

Phillip Pearse, aged 20, of Brynderwen Road, Newport, was sentenced to six months in a youth offenders' institution, and a 16-year-old received a community punishment order for 140 hours.

Cardiff crown court heard that both drivers experienced "red mist" and felt as if someone had thrown pepper into their eyes after the incident on December 20.

Train company First Great Western paid out over £13,000 in compensation to stranded passengers who missed a vital ferry connection.

Both Pearse and the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted endangering the lives of rail passengers.

Judge Roderick Denyer told the pair: "You apparently got hold of two lasers from a market stall in Newport.

"There was complete disruption to the service and inconvenience to hundreds and hundreds of passengers."

Their actions, he said, were "stupid and ridiculous".

At about 5.30pm on December 20 the 16.33 Swansea to London train, driven by Michael Jonah, was pulling into Newport, as was the 15.10 Crewe to Cardiff train, driven by Timothy Reiffer.

The two defendants were standing on a platform with the laser devices, which emit a red beam that is dangerous under 7m.

Mr Jonah said he suddenly experienced a red light hitting him in the eye, causing his vision to blur.

He hit the emergency brakes and was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, where an injury to a tear duct was discovered.

Mr Reiffer was also forced to use the emergency brake, and developed similar symptoms. British Transport Police caught the defendants almost immediately.

Roger Webster, prosecuting, said both said they had been "just messing about". But he said the knock-on effect of their actions was substantial. The London train eventually arrived at Paddington an hour and three-quarters late.

It was due to return to Swansea but was cancelled, and the connection with the Fishguard Irish ferry was missed.

Some 78 passengers were stranded and had to be accommodated, costing First Great Western over £13,000.

Robert Buckland, for Pearse, said he was a "vulnerable person lacking stability". Mr Buckland said Pearse had had a serious drugs problem.

Ieuan Rees, for the teenager, said he did not know when he bought the laser that it was dangerous.

PC Monty Wright, of Newport police, the arresting officer, said: "I think it's a fair result. I would have been upset if they'd got anything less.

"But it's a good job it wasn't a fast-moving train.

"Laser pens are dangerous things and I can't see why people need them."