 | Anglers from Staffordshire have been hauled before the courts after they were busted fishing illegally. Lee Whitehead and Lucian Blaga were prosecuted by the Environment Agency for flouting the rules. |
They have been handed financial penalties reaching almost £1,000 after being punished by magistrates. They both were caught using a rod and a line without a licence, while Whitehead also refused to tell investigators who he was.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We’re pleased how seriously the courts take these offences. Whitehead has been rightly punished for his offences. He did not have a valid licence, but he was also unhelpful when questioned by our officers."
The spokesman added: "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." Whitehead, of French Avenue, Mile Oak, Tamworth, admitted fishing illegally and refusing to give his name and address to an Environment Agency officer.
The 32-year-old was at Stubby Leas Carp Fishery, in Lichfield, on June 19 when he was caught. He was fined a total of £440, ordered to pay £135 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.
Blaga, 37, of Bartholomew Road, Stoke, was handed a £40 fine, £135 costs and a £16 victim surcharge for fishing illegally on the River Dove, in Uttoxeter, on June 28. Both cases were heard at Northampton Magistrates' Court on November 21.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We’re pleased how seriously the courts take these offences. Whitehead has been rightly punished for his offences. He did not have a valid licence, but he was also unhelpful when questioned by our officers."
The spokesman added: "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." Whitehead, of French Avenue, Mile Oak, Tamworth, admitted fishing illegally and refusing to give his name and address to an Environment Agency officer.
The 32-year-old was at Stubby Leas Carp Fishery, in Lichfield, on June 19 when he was caught. He was fined a total of £440, ordered to pay £135 costs and a £176 victim surcharge.
Blaga, 37, of Bartholomew Road, Stoke, was handed a £40 fine, £135 costs and a £16 victim surcharge for fishing illegally on the River Dove, in Uttoxeter, on June 28. Both cases were heard at Northampton Magistrates' Court on November 21.
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