Anglers caught fishing illegally in Staffordshire land £5k fine

The anglers were caught fishing without a rod licence by Environment Agency officers.

Carl Johnson, of Cowlishaw Way, Rugeley, was among a group of men who were found fishing illegally last summer. He was prosecuted at North Staffordshire Justice Centre Magistrates' Court.

Johnson pleaded guilty and was fined £440, ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £44. He had been caught on June 18, 2016, at Horns Pool, Slitting Mill, Rugeley.

Robbie Johnson, of High Street, Laurencekirk, Scotland, was caught on the same day at the Rugeley pool.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £127 and a victim surcharge of £40.

Other anglers caught included Matthew Bamford, of Werrington Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Ricky Fisher, of Millfield Road, Walsall, Mark Francis, of Sefton Park Road, Liverpool, Anthony Leese, of Dawlish Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, Blain Pickering, of Community Drive, Stoke-on-Trent, and Richie Wilkes, of Nash Peake Street, Stoke-on-Trent.

Magistrates heard that on three separate days last June and July, Environment Agency enforcement officers found the anglers fishing without a rod licence at pools in Stoke-on-Trent, Rugeley, Eccleshall and Penkridge.

The agency's Andrew Eardley said: "The majority of anglers fish legally and purchase a rod licence.

"With an annual licence costing £27 it seems ridiculous that anglers risk a significant fine like these we've seen here.

£The minority of anglers who fail to buy a rod licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport.

£Rod licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.

"With an annual rod licence costing £27, these anglers have really been left out of pocket."

The anglers were all found guilty under section 27 1a of the salmon and freshwater fisheries act 1975.

Anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence if they are aged 12 or over and fish for salmon, trout, freshwater fish, smelt or eel in England.

Fishing without a valid licence could result in a fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.

In total fines of £5,680 were handed out to the fisherman.

Anyone witnessing illegal fishing incidents in progress can report it directly to the Environment Agency hotline on 0800 807060. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.