Midlands anglers named and shamed as they are handed £1k court bill for £33 fishing error

Anglers from the Midlands caught fishing without a £33 licence have been handed a court bill topping £1,000. Three men were hauled before magistrates for breaching Environment Agency fishing rules.

They were caught out during fishing trips at Sutton Park, in Shropshire and along the River Avon. The defendants failed to get themselves a licence which costs as little as £33 a year.

A one-day licence costs even less at just £6.60. Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands, said: "We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.

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"The cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and these anglers have been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook. Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.

"We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing. Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

The three defendants were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates' Court on April 4.

• Jacek Lewandowski, of Frankton Close, Redditch, admitted fishing without a licence at Harvington, near Evesham, on the River Avon, on October 15 last year. He also admitted removing bream contrary to byelaws. The 33-year-old was fined £258 and ordered to pay £135 costs, along with a £103 victim surcharge.

• Alfred Bradford, 45, of Foster Street, Walsall, admitted two offences when fishing at Norton Mere, near Tong, in Shopshire, on August 15 last year. He also admitted leaving a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended. The 45-year-old was fined £80, handed £135 costs and told to pay a £32 victim surcharge.

• Shane Edwards, 36, of Chantry Avenue, Walsall, admitted fishing without a licence at Powells Pool, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, on January 30. He was fined £116, ordered to pay £135 costs and told to pay a £46 victim surcharge.
  

Any angler aged over 13 must have a licence for fishing on a river, canal or still water, the Environment Agency said.