Father and son fined for illegally fishing in Powys

Pawel and Leszek Mitosek were discovered by diligent Police Community Support Officers from Dyfed Powys Police in July last year fishing in the Crickhowell area – the duo were catching trout with prohibited spinning wheels.

Neither Leszek Mitosek, whose home address was given as a fish and chip shop in Walsall, nor his son Pawel, attended their sentencing hearing which was held at Landrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday, February 1.

The court was told Pawel Mitosek, 34, had pleaded guilty by post to two charges – that of taking or attempting to fish with a rod and line by any means other than an artificial fly, and unlawfully attempting to take or destroy a fish.

His father, 55, had not entered pleas to either charge, but magistrates found the case proved in his absence.

John Tarrant, prosecuting the case on behalf of Natural Resources Wales, said the incident occurred on July 2, 2022, on a stretch of the River Usk belonging to the Glanusk Estate, which is owned by the Legg-Bourke family, and where the Green Man Festival is held every summer.

“They spoke to both, having observed them fishing (for trout) with spinners, and asked them why they were doing that," Mr Tarrant said. "The trout fishing on that stretch of the river is owned by the Glanusk Estate and they had no permission to fish there.

“Fishing is regulated by bylaws and you can only fly fish or use natural earth worm; spinning wheels are prohibited. The officers could see they were fishing with spinning wheels and the only items in their tackle boxes were spinners.”

Mr Tarrant said neither defendant had any previous convictions recorded against them. He said the older defendant had a valid rod licence but it did not cover using spinners as bait.

“Day tickets from Glanusk would be between £35-45,” added Mr Tarrant. “An angler would also need a valid rod licence, which cost in the region of £280.

He said he was applying for prosecution costs of £1,419.66, plus £300 legal costs from Natural Resources Wales.

OTHER NEWS:

• Jury continue deliberations in Kaylea Titford trial
• Drug driving dad welcomes road ban as he "wants to change"
• Three-year road ban for Powys man after second drug drive conviction

The court was told Pawel Mitosek, of Upper Forster Street, Walsall, had pleaded guilty by post. In a letter sent to the court he said: “I went there on the belief I was allowed to fish there."

He added that he runs a charity fishing group and organises fishing competitions for young people.

The court had not heard at all from Leszek Mitosek, of Butts Fish Bar, Mill Lane, Walsall.

Pawel Mitosek was fined £183 and ordered to pay £150 costs, as well as a £73 surcharge.

His father was fined £275 and must also pay £150 costs, in addition to a £110 surcharge – making a combined total of £941.

Magistrates said the financial penalties were based on fishing offences, and they issued no separate penalty for the attempted theft of fish.