A Hull angler has been fined £1,850, after being caught fishing without a licence at Newark in Nottinghamshire.
A fishing enforcement officer challenged 47-year-old Stephen Newton while he was fishing at Cromwell Carp Lake in Newark on 24 April 2016. When Newton failed to produce a valid angling licence, he was prosecuted by the Environment Agency.
Newton at first pleaded guilty to the charge of fishing without a licence, but he subsequently failed to appear in court for the legal proceedings
At Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 11 January, he was fined £220, with £1,638.41 in costs. In addition, he was ordered to pay a £30 victim surcharge.
After sentencing, Enforcement Team Leader at the Environment Agency, Peter Haslock, said:
“Our officers work hard on a day-to-day basis to check that anglers are licensed – we invest the money raised from rod licences in the protection of our rivers, as well as improvements to fishing facilities, which is vital for the future of the sport.
“The vast majority of anglers fish with the appropriate licence – we do not hesitate to take legal action against the minority of anglers who fish illegally.
“This case demonstrates once again that fishing without a licence is not a profitable offence – Mr Newton could have fished legally for 68 years for the price of the fine he has been ordered to pay.
“Anglers fishing without a licence should expect to be prosecuted – anyone caught fishing illegally can face a fine up to £2,500 and up to £50,000 for any byelaw offences.”
In 2015, the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 rod licences – a total of 1,900 anglers were prosecuted, resulting in fines and costs of more than £500,000.
An annual fishing licence is available £27 – all rod licence income is used to fund work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries.
The Environment Agency’s work includes responding to fish kills and, where possible, rescuing fish and protecting stocks from illegal fishing, as well as fish restocking, invasive species eradication and working with partners to encourage people to take up fishing for the first time.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Environmental Offences
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.