Shocking moment father and son fishermen attack water bailiffs when they are caught angling without a licence
Shocking footage shows two fishermen violently attacking water bailiffs by the side of a lake after being caught angling without a licence.
Sidney Bowman, 75, and his son Andrew, 44, assaulted the Environment Agency officials at a fishery near Bridgnorth, Shropshire, in September 2023.
A court was told the pair had been fishing when they were approached by the two bailiffs - also known as fisheries enforcement officers - who were checking for rod licences at Poole Hall Fisheries.
Topless Andrew Bowmab, 44, can be seen sitting on a camping chair casually telling them his licence is at home before the incident starts to escalate.
'I refuse to give my details as I don't need to,' he said.
'I ain't fishing no more. I'm leaving the fishery now so you have no reason to follow me.'
After the officers cautioned Andrew for not providing his details, he became 'verbally and physically threatening' and began to move his equipment.
The officers fearing for their safety moved a fishing knife away and said they were removing his fishing gear for evidence.
Andrew hit one officer in the face before his father Sidney runs over saying: 'He's my son.'
Sidney then assaulted the officer by attempting to grab his chest, where the officer's radio was, and in doing so poked him in the eye.
Andrew was then taken to the ground after he refused to allow the officers to put handcuffs on him and police were also called to the scene.
The father and son have now been slapped with fines and costs of more than £12,000 following a hearing at Telford Magistrates Court.
Andrew Bowman, of Dudley, West Midlands, was ordered to pay fines totalling £6,937 and £50 in compensation.
He had pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to assaulting of an emergency worker.
Sidney Bowman, 75, also of Dudley, admitted fishing and fishing without a licence.
He was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £5,128 - made up of a £660 fine for assault, £146 for fishing without a licence, a victim surcharge of £322 and costs of £4,000.
Andrew was then taken to the ground after he refused to allow the officers to put handcuffs on him and police were also called to the scene
In a statement the Environment Agency said: 'These sentences handed out show that the courts will not allow assault of public servants to go unpunished.
'It sends out a strong message to other people trying to stop our officers from performing their duties.
'Our officers do endure abuse and threats of violence in carrying out important work to protect people and the environment.
'The Environment Agency will not hesitate to prosecute those that obstruct or assault its staff.
'If people suspect illegal fishing incidents they should call our 24/7 hotline on 0800 807060.'
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