Legal News

The Environment Agency has prosecuted an angler, after he was found angling without a rod licence and failed to give his correct name to a water bailiff.

James Jones, 21, of Blodwen Road, New Inn, Pontypool, South Wales was caught with a rod and line but no licence on the River Severn at Worcester on 18 February 2017.

Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court heard that initially he gave a false name and was arrested by the bailiff, but after giving his correct details was issued with a ticket.

Jones was summoned to appear in court on 3 August but did not attend, so Magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest. He was then arrested by West Mercia Police and brought to court.

After pleading guilty, Jones was fined £120 for obstructing the bailiff – and was ordered to pay costs of £172 and a victim surcharge of £30. The offence is reportable to the Police National Computer and has been reported to the ACRO Criminal Records Office.

Andrew Eardley of the Environment Agency said:

“Water bailiffs have the powers of police constables, including the power to arrest.

“This case demonstrates that we won’t give up on tracking down offenders who obstruct our officers – and the police are willing to support us by executing arrest warrants.”

Alexa Neville for West Mercia Police added:

“British conservation-based angling law is in place for a very good reason – and we can and do take action to support the Environment Agency in its duty of fishing enforcement.

“West Mercia Police and our partners also have Operation Leviathan in place to raise awareness of fish theft, illegal angling and anti-social behaviour around waterways.”

Anglers need a need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence to fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.

The Environment Agency said that money from fishing licence sales was invested in England’s fisheries and is used to fund a wide range of projects to improve facilities for anglers, including protecting stocks from illegal fishing, pollution and disease, as well as restoring fish stocks through re-stocking, eradicating invasive species and fish habitat improvements.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales 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 criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.