Ten men caught by Environment Agency officers fishing without a licence were ordered to pay a total of £1,045 at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 4 April.
The court heard that the separate incidents all took place between 27 August 2006 and 23 September 2006 at fisheries in Iver and Bourne End, Buckinghamshire.
Environment Agency regional fisheries specialist Matt Carter said:
“Those who try to cheat the system and avoid buying a rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers. All the money raised from licence sales is put straight back into improving the environment for wildlife and anglers.
“We are delighted the court has taken this action today. Illegal anglers should realise that our officers are on the riverbank and if anyone is caught flouting the law they will be caught and punished.”
The Environment Agency’s Fisheries Administration Support Team (FAST) licences anglers across England, Wales and the Border Esk, and it is their dedicated prosecution team that takes action against anyone caught fishing without a licence.
The following cases were heard:
1. Lee Senning, 29, of Ripley Close, New Addington, Croyden, Surrey, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 27 August 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
2. David Moreton, 25, of Courtfield Avenue, Harrow, Middlesex, was fined £80 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a licence on 27 August 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
3. Oliver Le Fleming Shepherd, 25, or Hamilton Road, Ealing, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 27 August 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
4. Peter Duke, 45, of Marine parade, Shareness, Kent, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 27 August 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
5. Matthew Nickson, 20, of Pinewood Road, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 3 September 2006 at Wood Lane Lakes, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
6. Luke Keet, 21, of Evreham Road, Iver, Buckinghamshire, was fined £30 and ordered to pay £35 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 3 September 2006 at Wood Lane Lakes, Iver, Buckinshire.
7. Carl Budden, 34, of Wood Lane, Dartford, Kent was fined £40 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a licence on 16 September 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
8. Shane Sadler, 19, of Tudor Road, Hayes, Middlesex, was fined £40 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 16 September 2006 at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
9. Shaun Atherton, 36, of Zouch Close, Tidworth, Hampshire, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 16 September at Farlows Lake, Iver, Buckinghamshire.
10. Mark Jewell, 31, of Belswains Lane, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, was fined £50 and ordered to pay £70 costs for fishing without a rod licence on 23 September 2006 at Westbrook Mere, Bourne End, Buckingshire.
Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – there are around 15,000 Post Offices and other outlets which sell them direct, and for a small additional charge they can be purchased over the phone on 0870 1662662 or from our web site – www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fish.
Environment Agency News Release
