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A man accused of flying a drone over football matches - including three Liverpool FC ties - is due to stand trial today.

Nigel Wilson denies 15 breaches of the Air Navigation Order, with prosecutors accusing him of piloting a “small unmanned surveillance aircraft” over several football grounds while games took place beneath.

Among the matches the 42-year-old is accused of flying over is the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Aston Villa on September 13.

It is also alleged he breached rules governing the operation of drones days later when the Reds faced Bulgarian side Ludogorets in the Champions League and again in December, when Liverpool travelled to Leicester City. Other grounds he is accused of flying over include Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium and Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

Wilson, of Bingham in Nottingham, made his first appearance at Westminster Magistrates’ Court back in May and returns to the court today for the beginning of his trial.

He denies 15 counts of contravening or failing to comply with the rules of air regulations. He has admitted two counts - that he did not maintain visual, unaided contact with an unmanned surveillance aircraft to monitor its flight path on September 27 last year at the North Bank of the River Thames.

He also admitted committing the same offence at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, on October 18 last year.

The Air Navigation Order 2009 says operators of small, unmanned surveillance aircraft must not fly them over or within 150 metres of any congested area, over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 people, or within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the user’s control, unless they have obtained permission from the CAA.

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