Wellingborough man given hefty fine for illegally fishing at Stanwick Lakes

A Wellingborough man has been fined almost £500 after being caught illegally fishing at Stanwick Lakes.
Roman Rybacki, 45, of Chaucer Road was fined £150, ordered to pay £320 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by magistrates last week.Roman Rybacki, 45, of Chaucer Road was fined £150, ordered to pay £320 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by magistrates last week.
Roman Rybacki, 45, of Chaucer Road was fined £150, ordered to pay £320 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by magistrates last week.

Roman Rybacki, 45, of Chaucer Road, was fined £150, ordered to pay £320 costs and a £20 victim surcharge by magistrates last week.

The court heard Rybacki was found to be fishing at Stanwick Lake Fisheries, Stanwick, without a rod licence on October 4, 2015.

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The case, heard at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, was brought by the Environment Agency.

Peter Stark, senior enforcement officer for the Environment Agency, said: “Anglers who fish without a valid rod licence need to be aware our water bailiffs are out checking.

“If they are caught we won’t hesitate to prosecute.”

Every year across the country, thousands of anglers are prosecuted for not having a fishing licence.

The maximum fine for those caught without a licence is £2,500.

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Any angler aged 12 or over, fishing on a river, canal or still water needs a licence.

An annual licence costs from just £27 with concessions available.

Anyone with information about illegal fishing activities can contact the Environment Agency incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.