After flying a drone over a football game and causing it to be stopped, a man was fined more than £3,500.
During their National League Play-off Semifinal matchup against Bromley on May 7, Lewis Franks flew the contraption over Chesterfield FC's Technique Stadium.
Due to safety concerns, players were removed from the field for a while.
At North East Derbyshire and Dales Magistrates' Court on Monday, Franks, 27, sobbed as he received his sentence.
He entered a guilty plea to charges of flying a drone above crowds of people, flying above buildings, flying outside of visual line of sight, not registering as a drone operator, and not displaying an operator ID on the drone operated by a remote pilot.
Additionally, he admitted to operating his partner's silver Nissan Juke without insurance and evading capture when police tried to stop him.
More than 9,600 spectators attended the National League Play-Off Semifinal game, which was also broadcast live on BT Sport.
The drone was reportedly flown as low as 20 feet (6 points 1 meter) above the field, which prompted referee Scott Simpson to remove the players from the field in accordance with safety protocol.
Play resumed, and Chesterfield won the match before falling to Notts County in the championship game a week later.
Franks, of Allsops Place in Chesterfield, received a £640 fine and six demerit points for operating a vehicle without insurance.
He received fines of £426 for failing to stop, £200 for not registering as a drone operator, £200 for not displaying an operator ID, £500 for flying over crowds of people, and £500 for flying beyond the line of sight.
He was also required to pay a victim surcharge of £986 and costs of £85.
The match had to be temporarily stopped because the referee became concerned for the safety of the players when he saw the drone flying close to the field. ".
David Gittins, who was Franks' defense attorney, described his behavior as "a hobby that has gone wrong.".
He explained, "He is being naive, not malicious.
"He's a little nosy and taking a look. It reflects someone's ignorance of the subject. ".
It's not my job to lecture you, said magistrates bench chair Jennifer Wood. Although it was risky, you are not a criminal for it because we have seen much worse.
That you won't be using your drone again seems like a shame. Get a license, learn how to fly it properly, and enjoy it as much as you clearly want to.
. "
