Kent’s Fishing Fiasco: Ten Men Fined Over £2,200 for Illegal Angling
Ten men from Kent have been slapped with hefty fines totalling over £2,200 for fishing without a licence. An eleventh angler also faced prosecution, with one caught fishing during the banned close season.
Fishing Offences Spike Across Kent and Oxfordshire
- Most offences occurred in Kent, with one case in Oxfordshire.
- Anyone aged 13+ must have a fishing licence to catch salmon, trout, eels, or freshwater species.
- Day licences cost as little as £6.60, but fines and costs usually topped £400 per offender.
April Fools’ Day and May Day Crackdowns
Enforcement officers caught Jayme Randall, 27, of Snodland, fishing illegally at Claygate Lakes, Paddock Wood. He and Miles Minall, 36, from Northfleet, fined £220 each, were nabbed on April 1st at different Kent locations.
Over the May Day weekend, Tony Simpson, 40, of Orpington, and 20-year-old Harry Hawkins from Bearsted were both caught fishing without licences over 100 miles apart, each hit with £220 fines.
These four men also faced £135 costs and an £88 victim surcharge each.
More Illegal Anglers Nabbed in Herne Bay and Beyond
- Will Glover, 38, and Ben Barratt, 37, both from Herne Bay, fined £108 and £220 respectively for fishing without licences in Kent.
- Glover faced £65 in costs plus a £43 victim surcharge; Barratt ordered to pay £135 costs and an £88 surcharge.
Senior enforcement officer Kye Jerrom warned:
“Fishing licences are great value and much cheaper than fines. We raise tens of millions of pounds each year to stock waters with fish and improve rivers and fisheries for all.”
“It’s quick and cheap to buy a licence online or by phone. Our officers conduct regular spot checks on private lakes, rivers, ponds, and canals.”
“Suspected illegal fishing? Report it on our 24/7 hotline at 0800 80 70 60.”
More Fines and Court Actions
- Luke Firth, 33, of Swanley, fined £220 for no licence at Orchard Place Farm, Paddock Wood.
- Abraham Hilden, 22, from Ashford, also fined £220 for illegal fishing at Hothfield.
- Gheorge Neculcea, 52, from Maidstone, caught fishing during close season and fined £292.
- Ryan Churchill, 26, fined £310 for fishing without a licence at Horsmonden.
- Richard Higgins, 60, given a 28-day conditional discharge for unlawful fishing at Paddock Wood.
Fines were handed down at Hastings and Folkestone magistrates’ courts. Total penalties for the 10 fined men reached £2,250, with additional legal costs of £1,275 and victim surcharges totalling £925.
Why You Should Always Buy a Fishing Licence
Licence fees generated almost £22 million in 2021/22 – money that goes directly towards stocking rivers, supporting angling clubs, and protecting fish stocks. Avoid hefty fines and help conservation by buying your rod licence today at gov.uk/fishing-licences.
The Full Roster of Fined Anglers
- Jayme Randall, 27, Snodland; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Miles Minall, 36, Northfleet; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Tony Simpson, 40, Orpington; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Harry Hawkins, 20, Bearsted; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Will Glover, 38, Herne Bay; £108 fine, £65 costs, £43 surcharge
- Ben Barratt, 37, Herne Bay; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Luke Firth, 33, Swanley; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Abraham Hilden, 22, Ashford; £220 fine, £135 costs, £88 surcharge
- Gheorge Neculcea, 52, Maidstone; £292 fine, £65 costs, £116 surcharge
- Ryan Churchill, 26, Bexleyheath; £310 fine, £65 costs, £124 surcharge
- Richard Higgins, 60, Gravesend; 28-day conditional discharge, £135 costs, £26 surcharge
