A man has pleaded guilty to illegally fishing at the Diana Fountain in Bushy Park.

The male, whose name was not disclosed by the Royal Parks Police, was fined £267 at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on Monday (November 28) after being charged under the park regulations where fishing in areas without permission can be classed as theft.

Officers patrolling Bushy Park on October 6th found a lone fishing rod resting by the Diana Fountain followed by a man hiding from plane sight shortly after.

Whilst Coarse fishing entails catching fish in freshwater rather than at sea, and then returning the fish to the water once they have been caught, fishing is strictly prohibited at the Diana Fountain at any time.

The Royal Parks Police took to Twitter earlier today writing: "Yesterday a male pleaded guilty to illegally fishing in the Diana fountain in #BushyPark on 6/10/22. He was fined a total of £267 at Wimbledon Magistrates court. He was charged under the park regulations. Fishing in areas without permission can be classed as Theft.

"Sometimes this is know as theft of fishing rights. As officers patrolled the park, they noticed a lone fishing rod, with the male found hiding near by. Fishing is not permitted at the Diana fountain at any time."

When questioned by a Twitter user on why the male was charged for theft if he was coarse fishing, the Royal Parks responded: "Under Schedule 1, Theft Act, 1968 – 'taking or destroying fish or attempting to take or destroy fish'. In this context, as defined in Wells v Hardy, 1964, 'taking' does not mean to carry away but 'to lay hands upon, grasp or capture', or to attempt to."