A UK court has ordered a photographer to pay over $1,100 in fines after he nearly crashed a drone into Fatboy Slim as the DJ performed on a beach, according to local reports.
The incident took place on July 22nd, 2022 as the legendary electronic music producer was DJing for a crowd of 8,500 at Brighton Beach. Roughly 15 minutes before Slim’s performance ended, amateur drone pilot Giles Darby reportedly flew his DJI Mavic Mini onto the stage and narrowly missed both the DJ and members of the crowd.
Darby, 39, has now admitted to “recklessly or negligently” putting Slim at risk after losing control while operating the drone, but insisted there was no malicious intent.
“I did not intend to put anyone in danger. I wanted to create a slow, cinematic appearance,” said Darby, who has since received a drone operator license. “I crashed trying to leave the area, looking to back out for an overview of the scene and finish with a wide view. “It was an honest mistake that I will ensure will never repeat itself.”
DJI
“There was no malicious intent,” he continued. “I switched it into sport mode which deactivates the downward sensor so I could come quickly up and out, but I accidentally went forward and down.”
Citing the drone’s flight recording data, prosecutor Megan Attree said Dalby had ignored multiple warnings.
“The defendant had placed the drone into sport mode, in which obstacle avoiding doesn’t work, which increases the dangers,” Attree said. “The footage shows a near miss collision with the crowd and performer. There was no damage or injury, but the risk was very real and very present.”
Dalby was found guilty of a breach of the Air Navigation Order 2016, which gives UK courts the power to impose an unlimited fine or a prison sentence if the case is submitted to a higher court. He was ultimately ordered to pay a fine of £891, or $1,132, and allowed to keep the drone due to “previous good character and an early guilty plea.”