Unlicenced boaters clobbered

THE Thames boaters who were caught without licences on the river as reported in narrowboatworld, have now appeared in Court, and been convicted.

There were five boaters who were caught without licences by the Environment Agency and summoned, with their cases heard before Staines Magistrates' Court, it costing them dearly, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Moored at unused pontoon

The defendants were Paul Phillips whose boat was discovered without a licence moored at an unused pontoon at Hurst Park by Garricks Aite. He  pleaded guilty, and was fined £35, ordered to pay compensation of £485.86, £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge, by Staines Magistrates' Court. A total of £595.86.

Richard Biddulph pleaded guilty by letter. He was fined £160, ordered to pay compensation of £2,114.10, £60 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. His boat was found without a licence at Thames Ditton Marina. A total of £2,349.10.

Nicholas Tsirides was found guilty in his absence and fined £200, ordered to pay compensation of £845.64, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. His boat was discovered near Sonning Bridge. He was found guilty in his absence and fined £200, ordered to pay compensation of £845.64, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge. A total of £1.145.64.

Two boats unlicenced

Hadrian Smith appeared in Court and pleaded guilty for having no licence on two boats. He was ordered to pay compensation for both vessels of £454.14 and costs of £60 and a £15 victim surcharge..  A total of £529.14.

Alistair Trotman also appeared in Court, and pleaded guilty to also having two boats unlicenced with one at Kingston upon Thames and the other at  Teddington. He was ordered to pay compensation for both vessels of £1,812.69 and costs for both of £60 and a £15 victim surcharge.  A total of £1,887.69.

Many boaters will no doubt wonder why British Waterways do not take the same procedure against its many unlicenced boats, that would certainly boost its flagging income.