A REDDITCH man has been slapped with a £853 fine after he was caught fishing illegally.

David Webb, of Langley Close, was caught fishing without a rod licence in Weston Lawns in Bulkington, near Bedworth, by Environment Agency officers last year.

Webb was found guilty of fishing without a licence under Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 at Northampton Magistrates Court on December 21.

A total of 10 other anglers were also found guilty of offences during July and August 2017, with the court issuing combined fines of £7,113 – the highest of which was handed to Webb.

Andrew Eardley of the Environment Agency said: “We’re continuing to see anglers receive significant fines for fishing illegally which is why I can’t understand the reasons some anglers continue to flout the law and risk prosecution for fishing without a licence.

“A licence costs just £30 and now lasts for 12 months from the day you buy it.

“Fishing licence money is invested into England’s fisheries and rivers, improving the sport of angling.

“Most anglers fish legally and are happy to have their licence checked, the minority that fail to buy a fishing licence are cheating their fellow anglers and the future of the sport.

“Fishing licence cheats risk a criminal conviction, a significant fine and could lose their fishing equipment.

“With most anglers fishing legally it seems ridiculous the minority still risk a significant fine like these we’ve seen here.”