A SOLIHULL angler has been given a six-month conditional discharge for fishing illegally on the River Avon.
At Coventry Magistrates’ Court on June 26, Matthew Archbold, 38, of Redfern Close, pleaded guilty to fishing illegally on February 25 2023.
The defendant was reported by officers from West Midlands Police.
Besides the six-month conditional discharge imposed, magistrates ordered him to pay £50 costs and a victim’s surcharge of £26.
Nichola Tomlinson, fisheries enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency for the West Midlands Area, said: “We hope this penalty will act as a deterrent to anyone who is thinking of breaking the laws and bylaws for angling in England.
“The case shows how seriously the courts take these offences and the angler has been rightly punished for the illegal fishing they undertook.
“Fishing illegally can incur a fine of up to £2,500 and offenders can also have their fishing equipment seized.
“We inspect rod licences 24/7, seven days a week to check on cases of illegal fishing.”
