Bemused pilots were left listening to rave music when a pirate radio station interfered with an air traffic control system, a court heard.

Martin Kelly and Terry McCormac's illegal pastime was discovered when frequencies from Klass FM were picked up by air traffic controllers working at Rochester Airport.

Kelly, 24, of Munro Court, Wickford, and McCormack, 23, of Havengore, Pitsea, were today (Friday) both behind bars - thanks to their enterprising scam.

At Southend Crown Court, both pleaded guilty to abstraction of electricity and two offences under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 relating to running of the station.

Kelly admitted a further charge of having equipment under his control after they had been warned of the danger of their activities.

The Radio Control Agency was contacted after pilots circling to land at the Kent aerodrome reported hearing music on their radio sets.

Prosecution barrister Jonathan Davies said: "The air traffic control system was also connected to international May Day."

The court heard that the transmitter was traced to Westleigh Heights in Laindon. The defendants turned up while officials were still at the site.

A large amount of equipment was seized and the men were arrested by police. However, Kelly was found a month later in a studio used by Klass FM in Spire Road, Laindon.

Defence barrister Lindsay Thomspon said McCormack became a DJ at the radio station in 1998.

His dream of getting into internet radio is now shattered - his conviction means he cannot work in legal radio for five years.

Kelly, an engineer, became involved later as a "behind the scenes helper".

Miss Thompson said: "Neither of them knew the potential result of their activities. They chose their radio frequency with care in order minimise the risks."

McCormack was sent to prison for four months. Kelly was sentenced to six months.

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