Champ's fish smuggle shame

Coven Heath sportsman Nigel Williams, who has caught more big fish than anyone else in Britain, was accused of using the creatures as live bait - a common practice used among anglers in a bid to net large, prize-winning fish.

Williams, aged 48, admitted breaking fishing regulations by attempting to transport 100 fish, including carp, roach and goldfish, in the boot of his car.

He was issued the fine and ordered to pay £500 costs at Holyhead Magistrates' Court.

He and fellow angler Gary Banks, 37, from Wolverhampton, were caught by customs officers in May as they boarded a ferry from Holyhead to Ireland.

Holyhead magistrates heard yesterday how the pair, who were travelling for an annual fishing trip, had hidden the fish in a specially adapted tank in the car boot.

Williams pleaded guilty by letter. Banks previously admitted the same charge of exporting live fish without a health certificate.

In a letter to the court, Williams said he "deeply regretted" his actions.

Mr John Meredith, for Banks, said his client was only a recreational fisherman and was "very sorry". Banks was fined £800 and ordered to pay £500 costs at an earlier hearing.

Steve Maidment, from the Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences, said: "Angling is not a game to be played by a few professionals, it is a sport enjoyed by millions and is acutely vulnerable to the threat of fatal fish diseases.

"The most important element of the sport is healthy fish - if they die, then so does angling.

"We are determined to prevent illegal shipments of live fish out of or into Britain, and we will pursue vigorously anyone breaking the law and risking the health of our indigenous fish stocks."

By Becky Sharpe