Midlands anglers named and shamed over £35 fishing error

Illegal anglers caught flouting fishing rules have been handed court bills topping £800 over a £35 error. Three men were punished by magistrates in separate cases over their illicit fishing habit.

The defendants - who were prosecuted by the Environment Agency - failed to get themselves a licence which costs as little as £35.80 a year. A one-day licence costs even less at just £7.10.

Any angler aged 13 or over, who plans to fish on a river, canal or still water needs a licence to fish. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "We hope the penalties these illegal anglers have received will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws we have in place across England.

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"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 and for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.

"Illegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency’s efforts to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable. Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of legal anglers."

The men were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates' Court on Monday, November 18. Stephen Hammersley, of Uttoxeter Road, Stoke-on-Trent, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence at Basford Pools, Fenton on June 1, 2024.

The 55-year-old was fined £220 and ordered to pay £135 costs , as well as an £88 victim surcharge. Stefan Jones, of Paynter Street, Stoke-on-Trent, admitted fishing without a licence at Sammies Pool, Fenton on June 13, 2024.

The 25-year-old was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs of £45 and a £16 victim surcharge. Grzegorz Merder, of Coddon Close, Telford, admitted fishing without a licence at New House Farm, Church Stretton on June 1, 2024.

The 48-year-old was fined £100 and ordered to pay £135 costs, along with a £40 victim surcharge.