Manx Grand Prix visitor fined £3,000 after flying drone over course

25-year-old appeared in court this morning

A Manx Grand Prix visitor has been fined £3,000 for operating a drone close to the Mountain Course during the final race day at this year’s event.

Thomas Bernard Rudd of Boulby Drive in Loftus appeared at Douglas Courthouse this morning.

He admitted flying an unmanned aircraft near to Ballaugh Bridge between races at around 4.15pm yesterday.

His advocate told the court he flew the drone for around 15 minutes to capture images of the countryside and wasn’t aware he would be committing an offence.

Footage captured on his drone showed he had flown within 200m of the course - legislation prohibits flying within 1 kilometre of the course during closures for racing.

Deputy High Bailiff Rachael Braidwood said the legislation exists for a reason, with drones presenting a risk to riders and helicopters, adding that use of a drone could lead to a disaster.

As well as having to pay a £3,000 fine, the 25-year-old was ordered to pay £125 costs