A PROFESSIONAL angler from Middlewich has been found guilty of illegal fishing after catching a 52lb prized carp at Tatton Park in Knutsford.

Myles Gibson, 27, appeared at Macclesfield Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 11, and was found guilty of illegally catching the 52lb Common Carp known as Jim’s Carp at Tatton Mere on August 5 last year.

Gibson pleaded not guilty but was convicted and fined £884.

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

Senior Crown prosecutor Bev Dobson 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.”

Wildlife officer PC Jim Day, who investigated the allegation, said the case has helped launch a new police operation to tackle illegal fishing.

PC Day said:  “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.”