Melton man fined nearly £600 for fishing without a licence

A 21-year-old Melton man has been fined nearly £600 after being caught fishing without a licence, which would have cost him just £30.
Court news EMN-190318-155241001Court news EMN-190318-155241001
Court news EMN-190318-155241001

Dillon Rudkin, of Coston Road, has been successfully prosecuted by the Environment Agency for the offence, which took place at Lakeview Fishery, at Holwell, in July last year.

The case was brought to Northampton Magistrates Court earlier this month when Rudkin was proved guilty in his absence and ordered to pay a total penalty of £597.47. An annual fishing licence would have cost him £30.

The penalty includes a fine of £440, plus costs of £127.47, and a victim surcharge of £30 after Mr Rudkin was found in breach of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act (1975).

Following the verdict, Pete Haslock, enforcement team leader for the Environment Agency in the East Midlands, said: “The case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and acts as a reminder to anglers of the importance of having a rod licence.

“We hope it will provide a deterrent to any angler who is thinking of fishing without a licence.

“All of the money raised from rod licence sales is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, benefitting anglers and, for those caught cheating the system, we will always prosecute.”

Every year across the country, thousands of anglers are prosecuted for not having a fishing licence.

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.

All income from rod licence sales is used to fund Environment Agency work to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries, including improving habitats for fish and facilities for anglers, tackling illegal fishing and working with partners to encourage people to give fishing a go.

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.

A one-day licence costs from just £6 and an annual licence costs from just £30 (concessions available).

They are free for those aged 13 to 16.

Licences are available online or by calling the agency on 0344 800 5386 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The organisation carries out enforcement work all year round and is supported by partners including the police and the Angling Trust.

Fisheries enforcement work is intelligence-led, targeting known hot-spots and where illegal fishing is reported.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline 24/7 on 0800 807060 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.