Two Midlands anglers who violated a special order by fishing at a protected nature reserve have been ordered to pay court costs. Police responded to reports of illegal fishing at Idle Valley Nature Reserve, near Retford, Nottinghamshire, on Wednesday, May 13.
Repeat Offenders Caught
Officers identified Luke Douglas, 24, and Layton Janes, 30, as repeat offenders fishing on the reserve's lake. The area is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), offering it legal protection. Both men were previously subject to a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO) banning them from entering the reserve and from fishing or possessing fishing equipment in the Bassetlaw district, according to Nottinghamshire Police.
Despite the order, Douglas and Janes were found with four rods baited with boilies, a method commonly used for carp fishing. Douglas was detained at the scene, while Janes fled but later surrendered the same day.
Court Proceedings
The defendants admitted breaching their CBOs at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday, May 14. Douglas, of Welfare Avenue, Barwick in Elmet, Leeds, and Janes, of Canal Lane, Lofthouse Gate, Wakefield, were each ordered to pay charges of £85.
PC Mark Holland, of the Worksop South neighbourhood policing team, commented: "Janes and Douglas were well and truly caught – hook, line, and sinker – with nowhere to hide. This type of behaviour can cause substantial environmental damage, and it’s imperative we do what we can to protect our rural landscapes and wildlife. Even when fish are caught and released, it causes avoidable stress to nature, injury to vulnerable species, and undermines recovery projects. We’ve also seen the reserve left full of rubbish and staff subjected to rudeness. That behaviour has no place at a site of this importance. I hope this quick response shows we will continue to work hard to ensure those who cause damage within our rural communities face the courts."
Protecting Wildlife
The Idle Valley Nature Trust, which manages the reserve, is one of the largest nature conservation sites in the county. Police have pledged to continue working with them to preserve Nottinghamshire’s wildlife and natural habitats.
