The local rag’s take on the case:
A MAN acted as a helicopter pilot without proper validation, a court has heard.
In what has been described as a “an unusual” case, Alison Slater, prosecuting for the Civil Aviation Authority, told Hove Crown Court that Giles Dumper, 41, forged signatures and falsified pages on key documents.
The court heard that Dumper flew the "twin-squirrel" helicopter while other people were onboard and examined other pilots without the proper licence.
Dumper, of Chatelet Close, Horley, pleaded guilty to 14 charges at an earlier hearing.
The prosecutor added that the authority had revoked Dumper’s licence following his conviction.
“There is a high degree of culpability in this case,” she said.
Her Honour Judge Shani Barnes sentenced Dumper to a total of 24 months’ imprisonment at Hove Crown Court on April 5.
However, the judge said the sentence would be suspended for 24 months after hearing that Dumper was highly experienced and had previously been certified as a pilot and examiner who could “very easily” have passed the necessary qualifications had he followed the required steps.
She put his offences down to “bravado” and described the case as “unusual”, adding it was “fortunate” that no one was injured while Dumper was using false documents.
She said “public confidence” was key and added: “The public trust people who fly them somewhere.”
The judge likened his actions to that of an unaccredited paramedic who attended an emergency.
The court was told that Dumper’s reputation was “trashed” and it was unlikely he would ever fly again.
Addressing the defendant in the dock, the judge said: “You have thrown away a good career.”
Dumper, who was supported in court by his friends and family, was also ordered to attend 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/20046903.amp/