Defence Helicopter Damages Mansion While Admiring Sunbather

The crew of a UK Ministry of Defence helicopter broke low-flying rules, and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage to a mansion -- all so they could spy on an young woman who was sunbathing.

Barry and Anna George, owners of the mansion claim that the 14-tonne Merlin hovered at lower than 500ft (152m) so that the crew could 'communicate' with their young au-pair.

The couple's lawyer, Daniel Crowley, says that the downdraft damaged their glass conservatory and the family is claiming �250,000 in damages for what the Judge himself described as an 'alleged frolic'.

If that in't bad enough, the eight-day case will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds more in legal costs if the Ministry of Defence loses.

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