Three West Midlands anglers to pay 拢1,040 for illegal fishing
All anglers were prosecuted for fishing without a licence and two received penalties for additional fishing offences.
- All three anglers from Redditch and Walsall caught fishing without a licence
- One of the anglers prosecuted for leaving a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended
- Another angler received an additional penalty for removing bream by rod from the River Avon
Three anglers from the West Midlands have been ordered to pay penalties totalling 拢1,040 after admitting offences in cases heard at Northampton Magistrates Court on 4 April 2024.
Jacek Lewandowski, 33, of Frankton Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Harvington near Evesham on the River Avon on 15 October 2023.
He was fined 拢129 and ordered to pay 拢135 costs and 拢103 victim鈥檚 surcharge. He also admitted removing bream contrary to byelaws and was fined a further 拢129. In all he was ordered to pay a total of 拢496.
Alfred Bradford, 45, of Foster Street, Walsall, admitted two offences when fishing at Norton Mere near Tong in Staffordshire on 15 August 2023.
He was fined 拢40 for fishing without a licence and ordered to pay 拢135 costs and 拢32 surcharge. In addition, he also pleaded guilty to leaving a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended. This is contrary to byelaws which state an angler must be able to exercise sufficient control over equipment. Bradford was fined an additional 拢40 for a total of 拢247.
Shane Edwards, 36, of Chantry Avenue, Walsall, admitted fishing without a licence at Powells Pool, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, on 30 January 2024. He was fined 拢116, ordered to pay costs of 拢135 and a victim鈥檚 surcharge of 拢46 for a total of 拢297.
Nichola Tomlinson, Fisheries Enforcement Team Leader for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands, said:
鈥淲e hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.鈥��
鈥淭he cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and these anglers have been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook.鈥��
鈥淔ishing illegally can incur a fine of up to 拢2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.鈥��
鈥淲e inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.聽
鈥淎nyone 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.鈥澛�
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.
Charges
Alfred Bradford
On 15 August 2023 at Norton Mere, Tong, in a place where fishing is regulated fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line. Contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
On 15 August 2023 at Norton Mere, near Tong, Shropshire, left a rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended. So that the person shall by unable at any time to take or exercise sufficient control over said rod and line. Contrary to byelaw 10 of the Environment Agency National Byelaws which came in to force on 27 May 2001. Made pursuant to Section 210 and Schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and Contrary to Section 211 of the said Act.
Jacek Lewandowski
On 15 October 2023 at Harvington, Evesham, on the River Avon in a place where fishing is regulated fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line. Contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
On 15 October 2023 at Harvington, Evesham, removed bream by rod and from River Avon. Contrary to byelaw 3 (i) of the Environment Agency National Byelaws which came into force on June 1 2010. Made pursuant to Section 210 and schedule 25 of the Water Resources Act 1991 and contrary to Section 211 of the said Act.
Shane Edwards
On 30 January 2024 at Powells Pool, Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire, in a place where fishing is regulated fished for freshwater fish or eels by means of an unlicensed fishing instrument, namely rod and line. Contrary to Section 27 (1) (a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.