A WEALTHY Bristol businessman saw red when a helicopter landed a few yards from his home – and rushed out to try to stop it taking off.

Houshang Jafari tried to wrench open the pilot's door and then, as the helicopter lifted into the air, he grabbed hold of a skid bar beneath the aircraft, a court heard.

The machine, with four people onboard, lurched to one side, leaving passengers fearing for their lives before the pilot managed to regain control and fly away.

The 58-year-old defendant was disturbed when the private Jet Ranger chopper landed at the front of his £1.2 million apartment at the Dower House, overlooking the M32 at Stoke Park. As it did so it blew debris at his Range Rover car, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Jafari denies endangering the safety of an aircraft in March last year.

Prosecutor James Patrick said that after hurling a plastic bag at the helicopter's whirring rotor blades, Jafari grabbed hold of one of its skid bars as the machine took off, terrifying the four people on board, as well as those looking on. Mr Patrick said yesterday that private pilot Mark Blokland had decided to hire a helicopter and take his wife, Tammy, and two friends out to lunch, to help achieve the number of flying hours he needed to maintain his pilot's licence.

Mr Patrick said one of the passengers, Simon Clarke, checked it was clear to land in front of the luxury flats and Mr Blokland and his wife made a safe landing to pick up their friends.

He said: "Mr Clarke and his partner got in.

"Mr Blokland increased the rotor speed and that took a little while for it to achieve lift."

The jury was told it was clear that, although Mr Clarke had told some residents about the helicopter landing, not everyone knew and some people may have presumed it was the police helicopter or air ambulance.

Mr Patrick said: "One resident got a camera and started taking pictures.

"Another was Mr Jafari. For whatever reason he was extremely angry, perhaps even livid."

"As the rotor speed increased he moved across towards the helicopter and he had in his hands a green carrier bag which he then threw at the helicopter.

"If it had gone into the engine or rotor blades it could have had a catastrophic effect, but it was blown away."

The jury was told an angry-looking Jafari continued towards the aircraft and the pilot waved him away as the rota speed increased.

After throwing the bag he came closer and kicked the helicopter.

Resident Elizabeth Kabbara told the court: "It was like a bad- tempered little boy would kick. I'm a school teacher, so I see that."

Mrs Blokland, who was in the passenger seat next to her husband, said Jafari looked "evil" when he started walking towards them and admitted she was scared they were going to die as the chopper jerked downwards during takeoff.

Mr Patrick said: "Mr Jafari came forwards. His face was twisted with anger. He tried the pilot's side door and those in the aircraft were petrified."

Mrs Blokland revealed: "I was getting a bit worried at that stage as there is no lock on the door. The girl behind us, Lisa, was shouting 'go, go, go'."

Mr Patrick added: "Mr Blokland tried to take off and he was still waving Mr Jafari away. He just about had enough rotor speed to take off and they began to rise."

Mr Patrick said as the aircraft took off the pilot felt it tilt.

"Mr Jafari was holding on to the skid," he said. "He was causing the helicopter to tilt, a hugely dangerous and a hugely serious manoeuvre.

"Mr Blokland kept control of the aircraft and he took off, and off they flew."

The jury was told that after the frightening encounter the pilot landed a short distance later for those on board to compose themselves.

"We were in a bit of shock," said Mrs Blokland. "It is something we see on films, not something we see in real life."

Police later retrieved photos taken by a witness showing Jafari on tip-toe under the machine.

Jafari told police he saw the helicopter land and it threw debris at his Range Rover.

He said he thought it was in trouble and, anxious for the safety of those on board, went to see if he could help.

He told officers the pilot gestured for him to come forward, he approached, and he was on his tip-toes because he was trying to speak to the pilot to ask him where he was going.

During his interview Jafari denied being angry, throwing anything or endangering the aircraft.

The case continues.