A Sutton angler who was caught fishing without a £23.50 rod licence in a Berkshire fishery was ordered to pay £510 on Wednesday (13 July).
John Johnstone, 36, of Woodside Road, Sutton, Surrey, was caught fishing at the Royal Berkshire Fishery, near Windsor on the morning of 5 June 2004 by a patrolling Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer.
East Berkshire Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Johnstone failed to produce a valid rod licence under the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.
The case was originally before the court on 12 January 2005 but no plea was entered and was adjourned until 23 February, when Mr Johnstone pleaded not guilty. During that hearing, Mr Johnstone claimed that he had not been fishing but was setting up his equipment before setting off to buy a rod licence.
However the court heard that the fisheries enforcement officer witnessed Mr Johnstone fishing and that it was an offence to even set up angling equipment without a rod licence.
The Environment Agency's fisheries enforcement officer Graham Haynes said: "For the small price of a £23.50 fishing licence Mr Johnstone could have avoided this action and the subsequent costs he's been ordered to pay. He was well aware that he needed a rod licence as he had bought licences in the past.
"Money from the sale of rod licences helps to fund our important work managing fisheries and improving angling facilities. If you choose to fish without a valid rod licence you are not only breaking the law but are cheating other anglers."
Mr Johnstone failed to appear at the court and he was convicted in his absence and fined £60 and £450 Costs.
Anyone aged 12 years or over fishing for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels in England and Wales must have an Environment Agency Rod Fishing Licence. These are readily available and can be purchased from Post Offices, over the telephone, online and by direct debit. For more information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rod licence.
Richard Baker 4
