AN ANGLER from Redditch has pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Harvington near Evesham on the River Avon.
Jacek Lewandowski, 33, of Frankton Close, was fined £129 and ordered to pay £135 costs and £103 victim’s surcharge.
He also admitted removing bream contrary to bylaws and was fined a further £129.
In all he was ordered to pay a total of £496.
Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency in the West Midlands, said: “We hope these penalties will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and byelaws for angling in England.
“The cases show how seriously the courts take these offences and these anglers have been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook.
“Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
“We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.”
Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can call the 24/7 Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 807060 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
