'Fishmonger' poacher

05/10/2004

An angler has today been ordered to pay a total of £200 in fines and costs by magistrates at Bishop Auckland for stealing fish from a Northumbrian Water reservoir.

John Milburn of Glenside Villas, Thornley, County Durham, pleaded guilty by letter to poaching 15 trout over the permitted bag limit of eight.  He had 23 fish in total.

A fishing warden caught Milburn while on routine patrol (on 27 August 2004) at Grassholme Reservoir in Teesdale.

Prosecuting solicitor, Paul Kelly, told the court:  “The actions of Mr Milburn were more akin to a fishmonger than someone fishing for pleasure.  The number of fish taken over the fishing limit is one of the highest Northumbrian Water’s wardens have ever come across.

“Substantial efforts have been made by Northumbrian Water to make Grassholme reservoir a successful still water trout fishery.  The continued success of the fishery is dependent upon anglers complying with the fishing rules.  Theft of fish is a serious problem as it reduces the number of stocked fish and thereby spoils the enjoyment of law abiding anglers.”

Magistrates at Bishop Auckland heard the case today and John Milburn was fined £125 and ordered to pay costs of £75.

For further information contact Cara Hall, Communications Adviser, on 0191 301 6720.