The leader of a gang of illegal fisherman escaped jail and was forced to pay just £1 in nominal fines after being found guilty of stealing £62,000 worth of salmon and trout.
Swansea Crown Court judge said Friday that he was surprised there wasn’t a prison sentence for this crime.
Emlyn Reynolds, 35 years old, was arrested after twenty years of illegal poaching. Of which, seven years were proven to be criminal.
His own photos and journal of the prize catch caught him captive.
Bricklayer Rees’ identity was discovered after an illegal net that was used to capture salmon and sea trout was set up.
Emlyn Rees, 35, plundered more than £60,000 worth of trout and salmon – and was fined £1
Rees’s poaching gang was blamed in West Wales for plundering waters of River Teifi. This led to a drop in salmon stocks from 4,342 up to 1,197 between 2005 and 2005.
Bailiffs discovered a “poaching diary” of a log book that included dates, photographs and records of fish catches dating back to 20 years at the home of Mr.
In a raid on Rees’ property bailiffs found nets as well as sacks, ropes, and two fish-stocked freezers.
The court heard it earnt Rees around £61,751 – but the money has vanished.
He was told by the court that he’s awaiting surgery and has been granted benefits as he can no longer work as a bricklayer.
Rees of Cenarth in Carmarthenshire had pleaded guilty eight times to illegal handling salmon at Haverfordwest Magistrates. He was then sent to Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced.
His Honour Judge PH Thomas QC fined him £1,600 and awarded the nominal £1 amount awarded for compensation for his proceeds of crime – and said: ‘I imagine members of the public will question that.’
“It is not an instance of the court giving him free rein. The court cannot identify assets.
Swansea Crown Court heard from him that he cannot be sent into prison, because there’s no custody for poaching.
Judge Thomas said, ‘It is shocking that there is not a custodial choice. Judge Thomas said, “Had there been, I think that I would have chosen the custodial option.”
Judge Thomas went on to fine Rees £200 for each offence totalling £1,600. He also awarded costs of £1,000.
“You’ve been an incessant poacher of salmon, and other fish for many many decades,” he stated. You had significant effects on the river’s fish stock.
“Unfortunately I don’t have any power to place you in jail and can only impose a fine. This is something I do take very seriously.
“I cannot fine you more than you are able to afford. Although I am unsure of what you have to say about your income, I will only be able fine you for what you can afford over two years.
I can only require you to make a payment that covers your costs. There is also the proceeds of crime application in excess of £60,000. I can only impose a £1 charge on you.’
Jon Tarron the prosecutor stated that Emlyn was undoubtedly the controlling factor in this poaching operation on a large scale.
“For more than two decades others have been involved at different levels.
The bailiffs stopped him from continuing his fishing crimes spree when he was seen in dark clothing walking through the fields with a large backpack.
His actions included removing trout and dragging a fishing net across the river.
Rees, in an attempt to flee the river patrol, jumped into the River near Cenarth (West Wales) and fled the scene, according to a court.
However, he was eventually arrested. A search of his residence revealed the remaining members of the poaching gang back over 20 years.
Bailiffs searched his house and seized nets as well as sacks, ropes, and two freezers that were stocked with fish.
Tarron stated that the damage from an operation like this was “painfully obvious.”
Gavin Bown of Natural Resources Wales said after the hearing: “The effect of illegal fishing on the Teifi, watercourses, and coast waters cannot be underestimated.”
“These have caused severe damage to salmon and sea trout stocks and seriously hindered future prospects for these famous species.
“Their actions negate any outcomes or benefits that might otherwise result from investments by responsible river users, and public funds.
“I want to express my gratitude for our team of enforcement officers, who conducted a thorough and diligent investigation that revealed an astonishing scale of crime.”