13/05/2005 - A Basingstoke
angler who was caught fishing without a
licence in Cranleigh was ordered to pay
£850 by Guildford Magistrates on 28
April.
Lee Upton of Talmey Close, Chineham, Basingstoke
was caught fishing without a licence at
Cranleigh Nurseries, Cranleigh on 9 April
2004. He had told the bailiff that he had
purchased a licence on-line but couldn't
find it,. The baliff gave Mr Upton seven
days to send the license in as proof of
purchase.
But Mr Upton failed to do so and in court
pleaded not guilty, claiming that he had
not been fishing and was supervising his
son. The court also heard that Mr Upton
became aggressive and abusive towards the
fisheries enforcement officer while he was
carrying out his enquiries.
Fisheries enforcement officer Graham Haynes
said: “Fishing without a rod licence is
not only illegal, but also deprives other
anglers of valuable revenue as the £23.50
cost of each licence is ploughed back into
the sport to help protect and improve resources.
“If Mr Upton had decided to fish the legal
way he would have saved himself a lot of
time and money. We will under no circumstances
tolerate those who become abusive while
we carry out rod licence checks.”
Anyone aged 12 years or over who fishes
for salmon, trout, freshwater fish or eels
in England and Wales must have an Environment
Agency Rod Fishing Licence. These are readily
available and can be purchased from Post
Offices, over the telephone, online and
by direct debit.
