Sandbach pro angler found guilty of illegal fishing at Tatton Mere

A Sandbach professional angler has been found guilty of illegal fishing at Tatton Park in Knutsford.

Myles Gibson (27), from Victoria Street in Sandbach, appeared today at Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court in relation to unlawful taking of fish.

Gibson was accused of illegally catching the 52lb Common Carp known as Jim’s Carp at Tatton Mere on 5 August 2014.  Gibson pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing but was convicted at Macclesfield Magistrates’ on 11 June 2015 and fined £884.00.

The investigation was sparked by an article in the Angling Times picturing Gibson with a 52lb Common Carp.  Tatton Park’s ranger saw the article and contacted police.

Wildlife officer PC Jim Day, who investigated the allegation, said on the day of the sentencing:  “As a professional angler Gibson has a responsibility to abide by the law.  The result today has seen justice for the victims and reinforces the commitment of Cheshire Constabulary and the Police & Crime Commissioner to tackling rural crime.

“This was a complicated investigation and, with a successful prosecution, will help with the launch today of Operation LEVIATHAN – the largest multi-force and multi-agency operation to target illegal fishing.  I also hope this sends out a strong message to all anglers looking to trespass on private land with the intention of catching a prized fish.”

Dilip Sarkar, National enforcement manager for the Angling Trust said: “Historically, poaching – fishing without permission – has been seen by some as culturally acceptable and perhaps romantic; it is not, in fact – it is actually a criminal offence.

“In the past fishery owners have largely been impotent in dealing with this issue – due to confusion over the law and a lack of awareness. Our Fisheries Enforcement Campaign has changed all that, firmly cementing this issue within the wider frameworks of Rural, Wildlife, Business, Hate and even Organised Crime.

“Today, angling clubs and small businesses are being negatively affected by those not paying their way. Anglers – especially high profile ones like Mr Gibson – have a moral responsibility to set the right example. Times have changed – confirmed by this and other results. Responsible anglers everywhere welcome this – and we commend PC Jim Day in particular of Cheshire Police for his tenacity in securing this conviction.

“We look forward to working closely with the force on Operation LEVIATHAN – the biggest multi-force, multi-agency, operation so far to target illegal fishi Senior Crown prosecutor Bev Dobson, prosecuted the case for Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service.

Senior Crown prosecutor Bev Dobson, prosecuted the case for Mersey-Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service. She said: “This case was an important one for the fishing industry.

“The protection and maintenance of the nation’s fishing stocks are important and it is essential that anglers fish only in areas that are either public or that they have permits for.

“Mr Gibson clearly shouldn’t have been fishing in Tatton Mere by Dog Wood and the way he got to the area, by traversing fields and climbing over a fence in the middle of the night, shows he knew that he shouldn’t have been there.

“As a highly experienced angler he would have known that he was flouting the regulations but he did so for the thrill of landing the special fish which he had persistently baited over a period of months.

“Many people get a lot of pleasure out of angling but it is and must be a regulated sport or rare species and fish stocks would be at risk.”