A UK court ordered a photographer to pay over $1100 in fines after he nearly crashed into DJ Fatboy Slim at a beachside concert.
by DRONELIFE Staff Author Ian J. McNabb
Local Brighton news channels report that as a crowd of 8,500 partied away at Brighton Beach on July 22, 2022, the electronic music producer’s set was suddenly interrupted quarter-hour before it ended by a DJI Mavic Mini (piloted by Giles Darby, an amateur photographer) streaking through the group and nearly hitting Slim himself. Darby reportedly admitted to “recklessly or negligently” putting Slim in danger, but insisted that his intent was merely to record the show.
“I didn’t intend to place anyone in peril. I desired to create a slow, cinematic appearance,” said Darby. “I crashed trying to go away the realm, trying to back out for an summary of the scene and finish with a large view. It was an honest mistake that I’ll ensure won’t ever repeat itself.” Nonetheless, Crown Prosecutor Megan Atree highlighted that Darby had ignored multiple warnings before his dramatic fly-by, stating, “The defendant had placed the drone into sport mode, wherein obstacle avoiding doesn’t work, which increases the risks. The footage shows a near miss collision with the group and performer. There was no damage or injury, but the danger was very real and really present.”
Darby was present in violation of Part 240 of the Air Navigation Act of 2016, which may include unlimited fines or criminal referrals to higher courts as penalties. When arguing for leniency, he said he had since received his drone operator’s license. Ultimately, he was ordered to pay a £891 wonderful, ($1,132), and was eventually allowed to maintain the drone because of “previous good character and an early guilty plea.”
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