A man and his pensioner father have been ordered to pay more than £12,000 in fines, court costs and compensation after they assaulted Environment Agency staff.
Andrew Bowman, aged 44, and Sidney Bowman, 75, became involved in a fracas with two EA water bailiffs checking fishing licences at a Shropshire fishery in September 2023.
Neither of the men – both of Cross Place, Dudley – had the required documents. Andrew Bowman refused to give his name to the bailiffs and advised his father to do the same.
Tension escalated when the officers said they were removing fishing gear owned by the pair for evidence. Andrew Bowman struck one officer in the face; Sidney Bowman poked the officer in the eye. Police were subsequently called to the fishery and both men gave their correct names.
The men subsequently admitted charges of assaulting an emergency worker and fishing without a licence. Andrew Bowman also faced charges of obstructing a water bailiff in the course of their duties.
Telford Magistrates fined Andrew Bowman £488 for assault and £146 for fishing without a licence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £253, costs of £6,000 and £50 compensation to one of the water bailiffs he assaulted.
Sidney Bowman was fined £660 for assault and £146 for fishing without a licence. He was also ordered to pay costs of £4,000 and a victim surcharge of £322.
An EA spokesperson said the sentences showed that the courts would not allow assaults on public servants to go unpunished.
“It sends out a strong message to other people trying to stop our officers from performing their duties,” they said.
“Our officers do endure abuse and threats of violence in carrying out important work to protect people and the environment.”
The agency shared bodycam footage of the incident on social media.
The EA said its water bailiffs are deemed to be constables for the purposes of enforcing fisheries legislation and are also protected under the Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018.
Water bailiffs carry handcuffs and have powers of arrest for some offences.