An angler has been ordered to pay £396 after he went fishing without a valid rod licence last year.

Thomas Ross, from Forest Terrace in Chigwell, was caught fishing illegally on New Year's Eve at Heybridge Basin in Maldon.

He pleaded guilty to breaching the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 and was sentenced at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 1 September.

The court fined the 39-year-old £360 and imposed a £36 victim surcharge.

At a total of £396, Ross must now pay almost 10 times more than the current price of a £45 fishing licence.

Lesley Robertson, enforcement team leader at the Environment Agency in East Anglia, said: "This case shows we pursue offenders through the courts and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where anglers flout the rules.

"Anyone found fishing illegally may face prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.

"All anglers need a valid Environment Agency rod licence. The money raised through the sales of rod licences is re-invested and enables us to improve all fisheries, including rivers, for anglers.

"Our Fisheries Enforcement Officers routinely undertake licence checks and we urge anyone with information about illegal fishing to contact us on 0800 807060."