Peterborough drone owner fined for flying it too high

Flying a drone above 400ft (120m) is banned under UK law (stock pic)

A man who altered a drone to fly higher than it should has been fined £500 for acting in a way which could endanger an air ambulance.

Andrew Godwin, 56, of Witham Way, Peterborough, pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the illegal use of a drone last June.

The prosecution said Godwin used settings on the drone which failed to comply with English regulations.

His lawyer, Oliver Barrett, said his client accepted he had been an "idiot".

The hearing at Peterborough Magistrates' Court was told the defendant stopped the drone's warning sounds.

Prosecutor James Quelch said Godwin carried out the act in an area where the air ambulance took daily trips.

He said there was no suggestion a helicopter was there, but it was at a height where one could have been flying.

The drone was a small one, which did not require a licence.

Police turned up on doorstep

The court heard Godwin did not get much guidance when he bought it, and instead got information from other hobbyists.

He used binoculars to watch the drone and thought this was acceptable because it was in his line of sight.

Judge Ken Sheraton said the drone had been up to three miles away from him when it was flying.

Mr Barrett said Godwin had not realised an air ambulance might have been in the skies, and the first he knew he had done anything wrong was when police turned up on his doorstep to arrest him.

He added his client had not set out to break the law.

Godwin, who is semi-retired, said he would not use the drone again.

He admitted the following offences which took place in June 2023:

• Recklessly or negligently acted in a manner likely to endanger aircraft or person in an aircraft contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2016

• Recklessly or negligently caused or permitted an aircraft to endanger person or property, contrary to the Air Navigation Order 2016

• Alternated the drone controller to allow the drone to fly further distances, contrary to the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006

• Exceeded maximum height and flew beyond visual line of sight, contrary to the Air Navigation Order

Godwin was fined £250 each for two offences, with no separate penalty for other charges. He was also ordered to pay a £200 surcharge and £145 costs.

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