A 'reckless' drone pilot has avoided jail and been slapped with a £3,000 fine after endangering a historic WWII plane. Max Bagguley was in control of the drone when it flew dangerously close to the wing of a Hawker Hurricane as it flew 365ft over Buxton, Derbyshire last July as part of the town's annual carnival.
The 49-year-old flew the drone while a no-fly restriction had been implemented and was only caught when a local photographer on the ground spotted it, initially believing it was a bird.
Prosecutor Annabel Lenton told Derby Crown Court that it is believed to be the first case of its kind in the UK. The photographer went to edit the object out of the picture before realising it was a drone so he reported it to the Civil Aviation Authority. Read more: Epsom college headteacher ‘died from shotgun blast to chest – while daughter was shot in head’ Sentencing Bagguley to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordering him to pay a fine of £3,000, judge Jonathan Bennett said on Thursday: “This is an unusual case.
I have never encountered such an unusual offence as either a solicitor or judge. “It was mind-blowingly reckless, particularly in the case of an intelligent, middle-aged man.
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