£750 fine for no licence

A BOATER has been fined £750 for using his boat on the Thames without a licence.

Mark Haddon, who lives on his boat, was brought before Richmond Magistrates' Court after being caught at Teddington Lock when his boat Karadeanna was seen not displaying a licence. This heavy fine was due to this not being the first time he had been caught without a licence. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Same hearing

At the same hearing Christiana Williams was fined £100 and costs of £85 for also not having a valid licence for her boat Northern Light, again at Teddington Lock.

Anyone found using a boat without displaying a licence  on the non tidal Thames will be cautioned for a criminal offence and may be prosecuted, a spokesman related.

Andrew Graham, Operations Manager for the Environment Agency, explained:

"The income we raise from boat registration is very important for the community and the environment. We are pleased that courts issue heavy fines such as this to those who continue to flout the boating rules."

Alan