Fisherman receives death threats from fellow anglers after 'record-breaking' catch

A fisherman’s delight at catching a record-breaking 70lb 4oz carp has turned to disillusionment after fellow anglers slated him on social media.

Tom Doherty was pictured holding aloft his huge catch, a carp known as Big Rig, following a successful trip to RH Fisheries in Shifnal, Shropshire, on Monday.

But instead of celebrating his happy haul, the angling community has turned against Tom, 33, saying there’s something fishy about his catch.

Die-hard fishing fans said Tom’s carp wasn’t a true Brit, and therefore not deserving of taking the accolade from current record holder Tom Hales, whose catch weighed 68.01lb.

Critics argued that the huge carp was farmed in France, before being imported into the UK - a claim that’s been denied by the Fisheries’ owner.

The angry anglers are sticking to their guns, however, insisting that Tom’s catch is ineligible for a British record.

Dave Marles wrote: “He should’ve put a beret and a string of onions on it for the photos.”

Running Bear added: “What an embarrassment to English carping claiming to be a new British record 😂 next joke the Fishery should be ashamed.”

Gorl Eston is a fishing fan who knows a thing or two about perspective, however, saying: “LMFAO at grown men acting like children over a fish. It’s so ridiculous that I’m embarrassed for you all.”

What a whopper: Tom and his massive carp (Facebook/Tom Doherty)

Lake owner Rob Hales has spoken out in defence of the catch, insisting: "It’s a bona fide British record.”

Tom’s sponsors, PB fishing products, have received threats to Tom, his girlfriend and child, and the investment bank worker admits he’s found the backlash from the carping community hard to handle.

The fisherman, who lives in Basildon, Essex, told The Sun that the controversy had “overshadowed” his achievement, admitting, “part of me regrets catching it”.

He added: “There have been death threats made… people have threatened to rape my wife and kid – even though I don’t have a wife. I have not yet claimed it as a record, it will get worse when that happens.“