As I recall the circumstance of the case were very much as you describe. The pilot claimed he was landing, the observer, an ATPL if I recall correctly, said he was not.
The CAA won and the pilot was virtually ruined - there was even an appeal for funds to support him. This was pre-interweb, I have been unable to find any current references to it.
Surely not?? At a private field in a light aircraft!? I can understand the illegality of doing it at a busy airfield but on a private, unmanned, grass strip in the middle of nowhere?