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A hotelier who travels between his hotels by helicopter has been fined after the blades of his aircraft blew a parasol into one of his guests.
Keith Richardson, the owner of the Richardson Hotels group, has admitted negligently causing an aircraft to endanger a person after the downdraft when taking off from his Falmouth, Cornwall premises.
The powerful downdraft sent a parasol flying across the grounds and into a hotel guest, who was injured as a result.
The Bodmin magistrates court said Richardson must pay a fine of £3,000 and costs of £1,104.
His other properties include The Fowey Hotel in Fowey, The Metropole in Padstow and The Grand Hotel and The Grosvenor Hotel in Torquay.
A spokesperson for the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We take very seriously the safety of the general public and will take action where necessary against any pilot breaking the law.
“Keith Richardson was prosecuted for negligently causing an aircraft to endanger a person, an offence for which he pleaded guilty. Incidents such as this are thankfully rare and we are committed to upholding the highest safety standards to ensure that remains the case.”
