On 22 June 2009 at Warwickshire Magistrates Court, Nuneaton, fishing without a valid rod licence cost 11 cheating anglers a total of 1,775 GBP.
Patrick McGonigale, age 21 years of Peckham Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, was fined 65 GBP and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . No order was made for costs. He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Riddings Fishery, Grendon, on 14 March 2009.
Paul Michael Cave, age 22 years of Sturdee Road, Leicester, was fined 80 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP in costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Lakeside, Wolvey, on 14 March 2009.
Aaron Wareham, age 21 years of Aldebey Close, Leicester, was fined 120 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP in costs and victim surcharge of 15 GBP . He was found guilty of a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, on 14 March 2009. The case was proved in his asence.
Phillip Bentley, age 21 years of Laneside Avenue, Streetley, Birmingham, was fined 65 GBP and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . No order was made for costs. He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Riddings Fishery, Grendon, on 14 March 2009.
Paul Burne, age 40 years of Hill Street, Newbold Vernon, Leicester, was fined 80 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, on 14 March 2009.
Wayne Dallaway, age 39 years of Marigold Walk, Nuneaton, was fined 80 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, on 14 March 2009.
Daniel Smith, age 31 years of Rossett Close, Barwell, Leicester, was fined 80 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP. He pleaded guilty to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, on 14 March 2009.
John Harrison, age 58 years of Dahlia Walk, Bermuda Park, Nuneaton, was fined 80 GBP and ordered to pay 75 GBP costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP. He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing without a rod licence at Weston Lawns, Bedworth, on 14 March 2009.
Kevin Richardson, age 27 years of Lime Grove, Nuneaton, was fined 65 GBP and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 15 GBP. No order was made for costs. He pleaded guilty by post to a charge of fishing for freshwater fish during the close season on the River Anker at Atherstone on 24 March 2009.
George Pratt, age 51 years of Bank Road, Atherstone, was found guilty of two charges of fishing without a rod licence, and fishing for freshwater fish during the close season, on the River Anker at Atherstone, on 20 March 2009. He was fined 120 GBP on each of the two summonses (total 240 GBP ) and ordered to pay 75 GBP costs and a victim surcharge of 15 GBP. The case was proved in his absence.
Geoffrey Sweet, age 56 years of Cooks Close, Atherstone, pleaded guilty by post to two charges of fishing without a rod licence, and fishing for freshwater fish during the close season, on the River Anker at Atherstone, on 20 March 2009. He was fined 65 GBP on each of the two summonses (total 130 GBP ) and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 15 GBP . No order was made for costs.
A day’s fishing without an Environment Agency rod licence can prove very expensive indeed.
Speaking after the case, Midlands Strategic Specialist, Martin Cooper, said: “Anglers who fish without a valid rod licence need to be aware that our Water Bailiffs are out and about checking rod licenses. As today’s result demonstrates, sooner or later they are going to get caught and we won’t hesitate to prosecute.
“Not only does a prosecution prove costly, it also marks an angler out as someone who cheats his fellow anglers. When you buy a rod licence, the money is used to help fund our work managing fisheries and improving the sport for everyone, work such as re-stocking rivers after pollution incidents. So if you don’t buy a rod licence, you reduce the pleasure of the sport for everyone else.
“The message from this court case is loud and clear – if you haven’t got a valid rod licence, get one today.”
