An Instagrammer who flew a drone through central London days after unmanned aircrafts had caused chaos at Gatwick said he only wanted to film the New Year fireworks and did not know he broke the law, a court heard.
Viktor Vajda, 30, was caught piloting the drone along the banks of the Thames on New Year’s Eve. Just 12 days earlier, drone sightings at Gatwick had caused flights to be cancelled.
Hungarian national Vajda, who was in the UK visiting family, told police: “I had no intention of harming anyone. I was using the drone to film and upload to Instagram.
“I didn’t know this was an offence. I accept full responsibility, and I will never intentionally break the law.”
Drones cannot be flown within 150 metres of a congested area without a Civil Aviation Authority permit.
Vajda, who said he has now researched the laws, gave an address in Romford. He pleaded guilty to a breach of the Air Navigation Order 2016. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £115 in court fees and costs within a week.
