Yahoo News Stoke-on-Trent anglers named and shamed for £7 mistake which cost them hundreds
Two Stoke-on-Trent anglers who were caught breaching fishing rules has been punished by magistrates. Kevin Broomfield and Joshua Salt were among nine men busted by the Environment Agency for flouting laws on fishing trips.
Broomfield, 35, of Bartholomew Road, Meir, was found guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence, fishing for brown trout in the close season and for taking or attempting to take or destroy fish at the River Wye, Bakewell, in Derbyshire on October 23 2023.
He has been ordered to pay a total penalty of £751 made up of a £440 fine with £135 costs and £176 victim surcharge for the three cases of illegal fishing.
Meanwhile, Joshua Salt, 22, of Coleridge Road, Longton, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Baden Hall Fishery, Eccleshall. He has now been handed a huge court bill topping £457 after failing to get himself a fishing licence - which costs as little as £35.80 a year. A one-day licence costs even less and is priced at just £7.10.
His penalty included a £230 fine, £135 costs and a £92 victim surcharge.
Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency, said: "These cases show how seriously the courts take illegal fishing and we hope the penalties these illegal anglers have received will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and bylaws that are in place across England.
"We inspect rod licences 24/7 to check on cases of illegal fishing, and for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute. Anyone found fishing illegally may receive a fine of up to £2,500. Offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
"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.
"Our Fisheries Enforcement Officers, with support by partners including the police and the Angling Trust, carry out intelligence-led enforcement work all year round targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported. We urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060 or via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."
The men who were slapped with hefty fines are:
Kevin Broomfield, 35, of Bartholomew Road, Meir, received the penalty, including a fine of £440, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £176 for fishing without a licence, fishing for brown trout in the close season and for taking or attempting to take or destroy fish at the River Wye, Bakewell in Derbyshire on October 23.
Dean Freeman, 41, of Wantage, Telford, was proven guilty in absence of fishing without a licence at Marchamley Pool, Hodnet on January 31. He received a total penalty of £443, including a fine of £220, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £88.
Reece Hogg, 21, of Lower Birches Way, Rugeley was proven guilty in absence for leaving his rod and line unattended in the water on January 27 at Baden Hall Fishery, Eccleshall. He received a total penalty of £443, including a fine of £220, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £88.
Adam Cornwall-McGowan, 33, of Hunter Road, Cannock pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Bishton Pools, Bishton, Rugeley on January 28. He received a total penalty of £367, including a fine of £166, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £66.
Wayne Martin, 43, of Coppice Road, Madeley, Telford pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Baden Hall Fishery, Eccleshall on January 27. He received a total penalty of £356, including a fine of £158, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £63.
Aaron Kimberley, 30, of Treynham Close, Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Monument, Shifnal, Shropshire on February 10. He received a total penalty of £205, including a fine of £50, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £20.
Joshua Adam Salt, 22, of Coleridge Road, Stoke on Trent, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Baden Hall Fishery, Eccleshall, Staffordshire. He received a total penalty of £457, including a fine of £230, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £92.
Reece Webb, 23, of Deansfield Road, Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and leaving his rod and line unattended in the water at Monument, Shifnal, Staffordshire on February 10. He received a total penalty of £191, including a fine of £40, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £16.
Ritchie Hennessey, 33, of Turfpits Lane, Birmingham was proven guilty in absence to fishing without a licence at Buzzard Valley Fishery, Tamworth, Staffordshire on June 18. He received a total penalty of £219, including a fine of £60, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £24.
Any angler aged 13 or over who wishes to fish on a river, canal or still water needs a licence. The cost of a one-day licence starts at £7.10 and an annual licence starts at £35.80.
