A DRONE pilot has appeared in court charged with endangering a police helicopter in flight while he tried to film an illegal car race in Northwich.

Amar Singh appeared at Warrington Magistrates Court on Tuesday, January 31, where he faced two charges: recklessly acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft and recklessly causing an aircraft – his own drone – to endanger a person or property.

When the charges were put to him, his solicitor, Masood Hussain, indicated the 24-year-old would be entering no plea to both charges.   

Prosecuting, Alan Currums told the court the police helicopter crew was called into action on Sunday, December 5, 2021, to help officers trying to break up an organised, illegal road race around Northwich, Knutsford and Wilmslow.

He explained that while hovering over Northwich, the police’s civilian helicopter pilot spotted a drone flying close to their aircraft at around 150 metres high, 30 metres above the height a drone can fly legally.

The helicopter crew were able to identify the drone pilot from the air, and informed officers on the ground what was happening.

Northwich Guardian: The drone in action

The pilot landed the drone before officers were able to close in on him, though he was arrested, and the drone and footage were confiscated.

Mr Currums explained to magistrates if Singh were tried and found guilty before them, the minimum penalty for these offences would be within their sentencing powers.

However, as no sentencing guidelines for magistrates exist in relation to these offences, he recommended the case be allocated to the crown court.

Defending, Mr Hussain agreed, stating the 'this was a very new area of law, and that there is very little case law to guide any decision'.

Northwich Guardian: Cars were spotted on th A34 in Wilmslow on December 5, 2021Cars were spotted on th A34 in Wilmslow on December 5, 2021 (Image: Facebook)

He added Singh would be engaging a ‘flight path expert’ as an expert witness, and that he had consulted a specialist aviation barrister, and agreed this matter should be dealt with by the crown court. 

Singh, of West Park Drive West, Leeds, was given unconditional bail and told to present himself at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, February 28, at 9.30am.