Anglers land penalties over 拢1,300 for fishing illegally
Three men from Leicestershire and one from Nottingham have pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence.
- Fishing without a licence has cost three anglers from Leicestershire total penalties of 拢1,151
- An angler from Nottingham also received a total penalty of 拢191 for fishing without a licence
- Fisheries enforcement officers clamp down on illegal angling to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable
The four men pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence in cases brought by the Environment Agency at Northampton Magistrates Court on Monday 4 April 2024.聽
The four anglers received combined penalties of 拢1,342.聽 A day鈥檚 fishing licence would have cost each of them 拢7.10.
Kingsley Vickers, 29, of St. Dunston Road, Leicester was found to be fishing without a licence at Bluebell Lakes, Oundle, Northamptonshire on 2 November 2023.聽 He was ordered to pay a total penalty of 拢373, including a fine of 拢170, costs of 拢135 and a victim surcharge of 拢68.鈥�
Lee Hanson, 34, from Belfrey Close, Burbage, Leicestershire who also pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at the same location on the same date has received a penalty of 拢375, including a fine of 拢172, costs of 拢135 and a victim surcharge of 拢68.聽
Paul Remer, 62, from Park Road, Narborough, Leicestershire received a penalty of 拢403, including a fine of 拢192, costs of 拢135 and a victim surcharge of 拢76 after pleading guilty to fishing without a licence at Peatling Parva Pools in Leicestershire on 25 October 2023.
Darius Hodgson, 43, from Killisick Road, Arnold, Nottingham received a penalty of 拢191, including a fine of 拢40, costs of 拢135 and a victim surcharge of 拢16 after pleading guilty to fishing without a licence at Butterley Reservoir, Ripley on 18 November 2023.
Following the verdicts, a spokesperson at the Environment Agency, said:鈥��
鈥淲e hope the penalties that these illegal anglers have received will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws we have in place across England.
鈥淔ishing illegally can incur a fine of up to 拢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.
鈥淚llegal fishing undermines the Environment Agency鈥檚 efforts to protect fish stocks and make fishing sustainable.鈥� Money raised from fishing licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of legal anglers.鈥�
Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence to fish. A 1-day licence costs from just 拢7.10, and an annual licence costs from 拢35.80 (concessions available). Junior licences are free for 13 - 16-year-olds.
Licences are available from聽聽or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The Environment Agency carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust. Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The offences
Kingsley Vickers: On the 2nd day of November 2023 at Bluebell Lakes, Oundle in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line.聽 Contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Lee Hanson: On the 2nd day of November 2023 at Bluebell Lakes, Oundle in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line.聽 Contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Paul Remer: On the 25th day of October 2023 at Peatling Parva Pools, Peatling Parva in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line.聽 Contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
Darius Hodgson: On the 18th day of November 2023 at Butterley Reservoir, Ripley, in a place where fishing is regulated, fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line.聽 Contrary to Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.