Britons plead guilty, released

Two British nationals accused of plane spotting were allowed to walk free by a city court, courtesy plea-bargaining on Friday, reports Sumit Saxena.

Two British nationals accused of plane spotting were allowed to walk free by a city court, courtesy plea-bargaining on Friday.

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Steven Martin Ayris and Stephen Hampton moved an application before the court pleading guilty to their offence, and sought a lenient view. They claimed they were ignorant of penal consequences of plane-spotting in India.

The court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 each on both before letting them go.

Metropolitan Magistrate Saurabh Pratap Singh Lalher said, “After making such inquiry from the accused regarding their understanding about the nature of the offence, the allegation against them and the consequences arising out of the proceedings, the court is satisfied.” The duo was detained for nearly three weeks.

Police had accused the two Britons of taking photographs of the airport, watching airport activity with binoculars and, using virtual radar to record conversations between pilots and Air Traffic Control (ATC).