Anglers caught fishing without a licence were yesterday fined by Northallerton and Richmond magistrates’ Court in cases brought by the Environment Agency.

The improvements made to fish habitats and stocks are part funded directly from rod licence sales, and the Environment Agency is reminding all anglers to get their licence for the new season as the money goes straight back into the sport.

The £1,700 fines and costs were awarded against 13 people by magistrates sitting in Northallerton yesterday (Monday, April 23, 2007).
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
The following people were prosecuted for fishing without a licence at Woodlands Lake, Carlton Miniott, on 4 October 2006:

• Craig Bailey, aged 34, of Fell Lane, Keighley was fined £50 with £70 in costs (Proved in Absence).
• Mark Young, aged 34, of Ware Street, Stockton-on-Tees, was fined £50 with £70 costs.  (Guilty plea)
• Andrew Cassey, aged 28, of Knitsley Walk, Stockton-on-Tees was fined £70 with £70 costs  (Proved in Absence).
• Alan Talbot, aged 25, of Brettenham Avenue, Easterside, Middlesbrough was fined £50 with £70 costs. (Guilty plea).
• Philip Bell, aged 44, of Sidlaw Road, Billingham, Cleveland was fined £70 with £70 costs (Proved in Absence).
• Anthony Jones, 23, of Crossfield Park, Felling, Gateshead was fined £50 with £70 costs after fishing without a licence on November 5. (Guilty plea).
• Lee Winship, aged 30, of Middleton Road, Hartlepool was £50 with £70 costs after fishing without a licence on September 9. (Guilty plea).

The Environment Agency also prosecuted two people after they admitted fishing without a licence at Brafferton Pond, Helperby on October 14. They were:

• Geoffrey Marsh, aged 37, of Tubwell Row, Darlington was fined £70 with £70 costs (Proved in Absence).
• David Ross, aged 41, of Brougham Street, Darlington was fined £70 with £70 costs (Proved in Absence).

A further two people were prosecuted for fishing without a licence at The Oaks, Sessay in October. The were:

• Scott Holme, aged 20, of Dowber Way, Thirsk who was fined £50 with £70 costs. (Guilty plea).
• Brett Moffat, aged 24, of Maple Walk, Ripon who was fined £70 with £70 costs (Proved in Absence).

Environment Agency fisheries development manager Steve Chambers said: “Anglers who fish without a valid rod licence need to be aware that our water bailiffs are out and about checking
rod licenses. These court results show that sooner or later they are going to get caught and we
won’t hesitate to prosecute.”

Buying a licence couldn’t be easier – they are available by phone, through the Environment Agency’s website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/rodlicence or from the Post Office. The standard adult licence for the season costs  £24.50 for non-migratory trout and coarse fish, and £66.50 for a salmon and trout licence.

The maximum fine in a magistrate’s court for fishing without a licence is £2,500.