Fisherman lands criminal record

01/09/2006

Fish thief John Shield landed a £200 penalty and a criminal record when his case was heard by magistrates at Bishop Auckland.

Shield of Briar Close, Spennymoor, County Durham, failed to plead and did not appear before the court and magistrates dealt with the case in his absence.

He was found guilty of theft of fish at Northumbrian Water’s Grassholme reservoir in Teesdale in May 2006 and was fined £150 with £50 costs when his case was heard on Thursday 31 August.

Anglers who buy a permit to fish the reservoir are entitled to take a bag limit of eight trout.

Prosecuting solicitor Paul Kelly told the court that a water company warden on routine patrol caught Shield at the west end of the reservoir with three fish on the waters edge and another two carrier bags full of fish in the boot of his car.

Altogether he had killed 17 rainbow trout which was nine over the legal limit and he was still fishing for more, said Mr Kelly.

For further information contact: Alistair Baker on 0191-301-6851 or mobile 07711-793493