An angler has been fined for illegally fishing in Suffolk. 

Thirty-three-year-old Andrew Ferns, of Johnson Place in Stoke-on-Trent, appeared at court in connection with the incident on the River Stour in July last year. 

Ferns was caught angling without a licence in Stratford St Mary on July 17.

He was found guilty of breaching Section 27(1)(a) of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 at Hastings Magistrates’ Court.

Ferns was fined £220, as well as being ordered to pay £135 in costs and an £88 victim surcharge.

Lesley Robertson, enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency said: “This case shows we take illegal fishing seriously and won’t hesitate to pursue offenders through the courts where anglers break the rules.

"Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

“All anglers need a valid Environment Agency fishing licence. The current price of an adult 12-month trout and coarse three-rod fishing licence is £53.70 and not having one proved very costly for Mr Ferns."