Anglers caught flouting fishing rules in the West Midlands named and fined £3k

Anglers across the West Midlands caught out after fishing illegally have been handed hefty penalties reaching almost £3,000. A total of eight men have been hauled before magistrates for flouting fishing rules.

They were prosecuted by the Environment Agency. Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency for the West Midlands Area, said: “We hope the penalties received by these illegal anglers will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.

“The cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and the anglers have been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook. Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.

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“We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.” Their cases were heard at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on June 5.

• Stuart Carter, 51, of Boney Hay Road, Burntwood, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence at Coppice Lane Pool, Hammerwich, on October 8, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £135 costs and an £88 victim surcharge.
• Jonathan Davis, 30, of Tower Croft, Birmingham, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence at Kingsbury Water Park, Kingsbury, on December 4, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £135 costs and a £88 victim surcharge.
• Christian Harold, 46, of Arden Close, Tamworth, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence at Fisherwick Fishery, Lichfield, on November 6, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £135 costs and an £88 victim surcharge.
• Reece Murray, 34, of Thornley Grove, Minworth, Sutton Coldfield, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence on the River Tame, Kingsbury on December 7, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, £135 costs and an £88 victim surcharge.
• Simon Jones, 37, of Broadway West, Walsall, was convicted in his absence of fishing without a licence at Pool Hall Carp Fishery, Wolverhampton, on October 22, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £220 fine, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £88.
• Dan Cooke, 30, of Appian Close, Birmingham, admitted leaving his rod and line with its bait or hook in the water unattended and he could not exercise sufficient control in contrary to angling byelaws. The offence took place at Harvington on the River Avon near Evesham, on on February 12. He was ordered to pay a £50 fine, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £20.
• Adam Brunt, 35, of Ponesfield Road, Lichfield, admitted fishing without a licence at Fisherwick Fishery, near Lichfield, on October 25, 2022. He was ordered to pay a fine of £83, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £33.
• Jason James Anderson, 32, of Dee Road, Walsall, admitted fishing without a licence at Pool Hall Carp Fishery, Wolverhampton, on October 22, 2022. He was ordered to pay a £66 fine, £135 costs and a victim surcharge of £26.