Anglers sentenced for illegal fishing across the South and South West

They were sentenced at Swindon Magistrates Court earlier this month (January 8)

Author: Oliver MorganPublished 18th Jan 2024

Nearly a dozen anglers, including a man from Chard, have been fined for illegal fishing across the South and the South West.

The 11 men were sentenced earlier this month (January 8) at Swindon Magistrates Court for not having a licence - and fined for a total of ÂŁ4,135.

The Environment Agency say the money raised from selling their licences is used to protect and improve fish stocks and fisheries.

Those prosecuted and fined were:

  • Joshua Cooper, 19, of Warren Avenue, Southampton, was found guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence at Highbridge, River Itchen, Eastleigh. He entered no plea and was fined ÂŁ220 and ordered to pay costs of ÂŁ135 and a victim surcharge of ÂŁ88
  • Hajri Karoshi, 53, of Yeftly Drive, Littlemore in Oxford, pleaded guilty to 2 offences. He was fined ÂŁ51 for fishing without a licence and ÂŁ54 for fishing during the annual close season at Hockley, River Itchen, Winchester. He was also ordered to pay costs of ÂŁ135 and a victim surcharge of ÂŁ43
  • William Manning, 27, of Sleaford Road, Beckingham in Lincolnshire, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at River Test, Southampton, and was ordered to pay a total of ÂŁ268, consisting of a ÂŁ95 fine, ÂŁ135 in costs and a ÂŁ38 victim surcharge fee
  • Oakley Bedford, 23, of Beaufort Road, Havant, in Hampshire, was ordered to pay a ÂŁ128 fine after he pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence at Sinah Warren, Havant. Bedford was also made to pay ÂŁ135 in costs and a victim surcharge of ÂŁ51
  • Neculai Mocanu, 53, of Hounslow Road, Feltham, Middlesex, pleaded guilty after he was found fishing at The Malms at the River Itchen, Winchester, in the close season. He was made to pay a total of ÂŁ191, including a ÂŁ40 fine, ÂŁ135 in costs and a victim surcharge of ÂŁ16
  • Petro Petrascu, 47, of New Chapel Square, Feltham, pleaded guilty to fishing at The Malms at the River Itchen, Winchester, during the close season. He was fined ÂŁ330 and paid ÂŁ135 in costs as well as a ÂŁ132 victim surcharge fee
  • Patrick Taylor, 25, of Harlaxton Road, Grantham, in Lincolnshire, did not enter a plea when he was found to be fishing without a licence at River Test, Totton. In his absence, he was ordered to pay a fine of ÂŁ220, plus a ÂŁ88 victim surcharge and costs of ÂŁ135
  • Adam Taylor, 27, of London Road, Ashford, Middlesex, was found guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence at River Farm, Fareham. He was ordered to pay ÂŁ433 in total, including a fine of ÂŁ220, a ÂŁ88 victim surcharge and costs of ÂŁ135
  • Astrit Veshi, 49, of Rivermead Road, Oxford, was found guilty in his absence of 2 offences at Hockley, River Itchen, Winchester. These offences were fishing without a licence and fishing during the annual close season for freshwater fish. He was fined ÂŁ440 for the two offences and ordered to pay ÂŁ135 in costs and a ÂŁ176 victim surcharge
  • Andon Xhika, 36, of Cranmer Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence and fishing during the annual close season at Hockley, River Itchen, Winchester. He paid a total of ÂŁ387, including ÂŁ90 fine for each offence, ÂŁ72 victim surcharge and ÂŁ135 in costs
  • Harry Burston, 30, of Hazelmere, Otterford, Chard, was found guilty in his absence of fishing without a licence at the Chard Reservoir. He was fined ÂŁ220 and ordered to pay ÂŁ135 in costs and a ÂŁ88 victim surcharge fee

James Allan, an Environment Agency fisheries enforcement officer, said: "Money raised from fishing 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.

"These anglers disregarded signs at the fisheries that said an Environment Agency rod licence was needed to fish.

"Rod fishing byelaws are there to protect fish stocks and their habitats. If you do not comply with these byelaws you could face prosecution and be fined up to ÂŁ2,500."

Any angler aged 13 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence - which you can find out more about here.

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