26 January 2024 , 10:23
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A drone operator has been fined after it smashed into the stage while Fatboy Slim was performing.
Police have shared the terrifying moment a drone shot onto the stage in front of thousands of people. Giles Dalby, who was operating the drone, lost control of the drone over the heads of the crowd and it eventually smashed into the stage at the Brighton concert in July 2022. It is believed to be the first prosecution of its kind under the legislation.
Prosecutors said if it had smashed into the 8,500 spectators- it would be like a high speed "flying bomb". Sussex Police have shared the moment of the incident after Dalby admitted to recklessly or negligently causing or permitting an aircraft to endanger a person or property.
The drone was filming the concert that took place on Brighton beach (Giles Dalby / Sussex Police SWNS)The 39-year-old appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on January 4 where he was fined £576, with a £230 surcharge and £85 costs. Dalby, who is an amateur photographer, told the court he "mixed up the controls" of his device while trying to create a "cinematic" video of the gig starring the Right Here, Right Now star.
He put it into sport mode — making it harder to avoid obstacles — and recording data showed he "ignored multiple warnings", the court heard. The court heard footage from the drone showed the near miss, fifteen minutes before the gig ended. Prosecutor Megan Attree said: "The footage shows a near miss with the crowd and performer.
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"There was no damage or injury, but the risk was very real. Security were alerted that a drone had crashed into the stage, narrowly missing the crowd and headline act." Dalby said he has since gained a drone operator licence — and now knows he should not have flown it over the crowd.
He told the court: "I did not intend to put anyone in danger. I wanted to create a slow, cinematic appearance. I crashed trying to get an overview of the scene. It was an honest mistake that I will never repeat. There was no malicious intent." Sussex Police and the UK Civil Aviation Authority released the footage to highlight how his use of the drone was illegal and put those in attendance at the concert in danger.
Sussex Police Drone Training Officer PC Steven Prince said: "Dalby operated a drone above a crowded beach concert on Brighton beach. He lost control of the aircraft which then crashed into the stage, near to a musician who was in the middle of a live performance. Dalby is fortunate that no one was harmed, but this case should act as a reminder to all drone operators about how to stay within the law."
Jonathan Nicholson, of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, added: "Drones can be great fun to fly and are undertaking more and more useful rules such as delivering medical supplies. However, they must be flown safely and this incident shows what can happen if people don’t follow the rules. Our dronecode provides a simple guide to the rules along with advice on how to enjoy flying your drone."