Shocking moment fishermen dad and his topless son scrap with officials after they were caught angling without licence
DISTURBING footage shows a father and son violently attacking environment agency officers who asked for their fishing licences.
The duo, who verbally and physically assaulted two officers, fists flying have been whacked with a hefty £12,000 court bill.
Anglers Sidney Bowman, 75, and a topless Andrew Bowman, 44, assaulted two Environment Agency officers who had asked for their names and addresses after they caught them fishing without a licence.
Despite being informed that they were on camera, Sidney poked an officer in the eye after his son hit his colleague in the face.
Only after police arrived on the scene did Sidney and Andrew confirm their identities.
The anglers were punished for the assault at Poole Hall Fishery, Alverley, Shropshire, on September 6 2023 at Telford Magistrates’ Court last month on April 25.
The punch up started when Andrew refused to give his details to the officers and told his Dad not to either.
The Environment Agency officers started issuing a caution at this point, but then Andrew started to become verbally and physically abusive, threatening officers and moving his equipment.
Spooked, the officers moved a fishing knife away from the aggressors at which point Andrew thwacked one officer in the face.
The other officer warned Andrew’s Dad, “don’t do it,” but Sidney then tried to grab the officer’s chest and “poked him in the eye with flailing arms.”
The court heard how Andrew had to be taken to the ground after refusing to be handcuffed.
He decided it was a good idea to claim he was called David Wilkes and lie about his address.
Only after the police were called did the duo fess up to the correct details.
Sidney pled guilty to two counts of assaulting an emergency worker and one count of fishing without a licence.
He was ordered to pay an £806 fine, a £322 victim surcharge and £4,000 costs.
Andrew admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, two counts of obstructing a water bailiff and one count of fishing without a licence.
He was handed a £634 fine, a £253 victim surcharge, £50 compensation and £6,000 costs.
Environment Agency water bailiffs are considered constables ‘for the purposes of enforcing fisheries legislation’ and are protected under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
A spokesperson for 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.”