Yeovil man fined for illegal fishing at Coking Farm fishery
Date of alert:
Friday, 20 May 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Avon & Somerset Constabulary
A Yeovil man has netted a fine for illegal fishing at a fishery.
Alan Reid, 47, of Westfield Road, Yeovil pleaded guilty to fishing without a licence, leaving rods unattended and failing to provide his name and address when asked to.
He was fined a total of £120 and ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £34 at Swindon Magistrates Court on May 3.
On December 1, 2021, while on patrol at Coking Farm fishery near Henstridge in south Somerset, fisheries officers discovered Mr Reid fishing illegally.
He failed to produce a rod licence when asked and refused to provide his name and address.
He was also found not be in control of his rod and line, as they had been left unattended with bait and hook in the water.
Following the verdict, James Allan, 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.
"We are able to check offenders’ details, so giving false information is not an easy route out of failing to comply.
