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Crime Solicitors
Fine for fisherman without licence who gave false identity (4 July 2016)
Date: 04/07/2016
The Environment Agency has prosecuted a fisherman who gave a false ID when challenged over not having a rod licence.
On 4 October, 2015, angler Darryl Bushen from Weston-super-Mare was approached by an officer from the Environment Agency while angling at Somerton in Somerset. When asked to produce his rod licence, Bushen said it was “at home” and gave his name as Barry Brown.
The bailiff moved a short distance away to get a better phone signal to check Bushen’s details – however, when the officer returned to the lakeside at Viaduct Fishery, the defendant had left, leaving two fishing rods on the bank and lines in the water.
A friend fishing nearby said Bushen had gone to the site shop, but when the bailiff checked, there was no sign of the angler.
The friend later rang Bushen and told him the bailiff would seize his fishing equipment if he did not return. Bushen refused and his fishing tackle – worth several hundred pounds – was seized.
Subsequent checks revealed the angler seen fishing was Darryl Bushen of Selworthy Road in Weston-super-Mare.
At Yeovil Magistrates’ Court, Bushen was fined a total of £300 and ordered to pay £127 costs, after pleading guilty to three offences – including fishing at Viaduct Fishery in Somerton without a valid rod licence, failing to state his name to a water bailiff, and leaving a rod and line with baited hook in the water unattended.
Bushen was also ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of an environmental offence, including fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, water contamination, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.
For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis crime solicitors on 0333 772 0409.