Crime Solicitors

An angler who threatened and assaulted a fisheries enforcement officer checking angling licences has been prosecuted and fined.

Steve Beckett, 30, of Lorna Road in Mexborough, Doncaster, South Yorkshire also refused to give his address when asked to show his licence when fishing.

Enforcement officers are considered to be the same as police constables in law – and assaulting and obstructing an environmental enforcement officer is a criminal offence.

In addition to his fishing violations, Beckett was prosecuted for assault and as a result has recordable offences on the police database and was fined a total of £410.

The court heard Beckett was initially approached on 2 October 2016, as part of routine checks on fishing licences – he had been spotted using three rods at Caistor Fisheries in Lincolnshire.

A search of the Environment Agency’s database revealed Beckett had no valid fishing licence, despite his insisting that he did. He refused to give his address, which hampered further checks.

Beckett also became aggressive when challenged, physically pushing the enforcement officer away, after which the police were called.

At Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty to fishing without a valid licence, assaulting and obstructing a constable, using threatening behaviour, and failing to give his address to an authorised officer.

At the time of the offence, the licence he required would have cost just £54. Recent changes mean that it would now cost £45 or £30 for concessions.

After sentencing, Environment Agency fisheries team leader, Joanne Kay, said:

“Not only was Mr Beckett fishing illegally, he also assaulted a law enforcement officer who was doing his duty to protect the sport, legitimate anglers and the environment.

“It makes no sense to have the embarrassment of a court visit, a criminal conviction and a bill for potentially thousands of pounds when an annual licence is such value for money and so easy to buy.”

For those caught fishing illegally, there is a potential fine of up to £2,500 and a criminal record.

Last year in England, the Environment Agency checked more than 62,000 rod licences and prosecuted more than 1,900 anglers for rod and line offences, resulting in fines and costs in excess of £500,000.
.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors – Environmental Offences

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors can advise companies and individuals at any stage of an environmental offence, including charges relating to polluting watercourses, fisheries offences, fly tipping, waste carrier offences, failing to manage hazardous waste, air pollution, noise pollution, or misuse of permitted land.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation by the Environment Agency or local authority and before charges are brought.

For expert legal advice on all environmental offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.