Drone Enthusiast Fined for Dangerous Flights Near Major Event and Airport

In a recent brush with the law, a drone hobbyist in the United Kingdom was slapped with a hefty fine after recklessly piloting his device in restricted areas. Daniel Cesare, 36, faced substantial charges after flying his drone near East Midlands Airport to capture aerial views of the Download rock festival at Donington Park, Leicestershire. Notably, this location falls within the airport’s “flight restriction zone.”
Cesare, a resident of Spondon, Derby, reportedly pleaded guilty to a slew of offenses, including:
- Flying an unmanned aircraft in a flight restriction zone without permission (two counts)
- Surpassing the Legal altitude limit for drone operations (two counts)
- Piloting his drone beyond visual range (two counts)
- Failing to exhibit a mandatory registration number on his drone
Furthermore, Cesare accepted responsibility for an additional 13 drone-related infractions. As a result, South Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court ruled that his DJI Mavic 2 drone be confiscated and destroyed.
Upon facing the magistrates, Cesare confessed, “I wasn’t aware of the restrictions and laws. I should have researched more. It was a new hobby to me.”
However, magistrate Guy Wildgoose sternly rebuffed his defense, stating, “ignorance of law is no defence whatsoever.” He added, “You were operating in the Weston-on-Trent and Shardlow area and you can’t have been unaware of the proximity of East Midlands Airport.”
Cesare was slapped with a fine of ยฃ1,008 (equivalent to $1,350) โ a markdown from the original ยฃ1,512 (about $2,025) following his plea. Moreover, he was mandated to shoulder court charges of ยฃ85 (roughly $114) and an extra surcharge of ยฃ403 (translating to $540).
The Download Festival, a renowned music event, spanned from 8 to 11 June, drawing a crowd exceeding 130,000. During its course in June, Cesare operated his drone on two distinct days.
Prosecuting solicitor Peter Bettany highlighted that in 2022, errant drone activity during the festival led to the airspace being sealed off on at least four occasions.
This prompted Derbyshire Police to deploy “counter-drone officers” for the 2023 festival, which featured stellar performances by bands like Metallica, Slipknot, and Bring Me The Horizon.
Cesare’s drone maneuvers on 10 June particularly raised alarm bells. Initiating his flight from Aston-on-Trent’s Recreation Centre, he flew his device an astonishing 1,670m (5,479ft) away โ a stark violation of the 500m (1,640ft) regulatory limit. Reliant on a mobile app for navigation,

Cesare grossly exceeded the permissible altitude, soaring to 1,640ft (500m) โ a potential hazard for aircraft. Adding to the recklessness, some footage was shot at night, amplifying the risk factor.
Upon detecting the drone’s activity, local law enforcement swiftly located Cesare, seizing both his drone and mobile phone.
A subsequent Review of his equipment’s data revealed prior illegal flights. One such instance involved launching from King’s Mill Lane, near Weston-on-Trent, Derbyshire, covering a distance of 841m (2,758ft) and reaching an altitude of 1,637ft (499m).
In addition to the penalties, the court ordered the confiscation and destruction of Cesare’s DJI Mavic 2 drone and mobile phone, sending a strong message about the consequences of flouting aviation laws.
Photos courtesy of Daniel Cesare.
Discover more from DroneXL.co
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD
Proposed legislation threatens your ability to use drones for fun, work, and safety. The Drone Advocacy Alliance is fighting to ensure your voice is heard in these critical policy discussions.Join us and tell your elected officials to protect your right to fly.
Get your Part 107 Certificate
Pass the Part 107 test and take to the skies with the Pilot Institute. We have helped thousands of people become airplane and commercial drone pilots. Our courses are designed by industry experts to help you pass FAA tests and achieve your dreams.

Copyright ยฉ DroneXL.co 2025. All rights reserved. The content, images, and intellectual property on this website are protected by copyright law. Reproduction or distribution of any material without prior written permission from DroneXL.co is strictly prohibited. For permissions and inquiries, please contact us first. DroneXL.co is a proud partner of the Drone Advocacy Alliance. Be sure to check out DroneXL's sister site, EVXL.co, for all the latest news on electric vehicles.
FTC: DroneXL.co is an Amazon Associate and uses affiliate links that can generate income from qualifying purchases. We do not sell, share, rent out, or spam your email.