Costly fishing trip for angler caught without a licence

Ian Brian (41) was last week proved guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence on April 17 at Stainforth and Keadby canal near Crowle in Lincolnshire.

He was ordered by Northampton magistrates to pay a total penalty of £389, including a fine of £220, costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34.

 Following the verdict, Lee Watts, fisheries enforcement officer for the Environment Agency in the East Midlands, said: “Ian Brian has been rightly punished for fishing illegally.

“The case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and serves as a reminder to anglers of the importance of having a rod licence before they go fishing.

“We hope it will act as a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing illegally.

“All of the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries for the benefit of anglers. 

“For those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.”

As well as cheating other anglers, fishing illegally can carry a hefty penalty - getting caught without a licence could land a fine of up to £2,500.

An annual fishing licence currently costs just £30.

Licences are available from www.gov.uk/get-a-fishing-licence or by calling the Environment Agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, from Monday to Friday.