A MAN accused of fishing without a licence at Kilnsey Park fisheries has been given an absolute discharge after magistrates said advertising at the facility had been misleading.

Dean Worsnop, 33, admitted he had been fishing without a licence with his young son on July 31 when he appeared at Skipton magistrates.

But he claimed he was helping his son catch a fish for his mother and he believed use of the "fun fishing pond" did not require a licence.

He had taken over the rod from his son after he had got tired as he was keen to help him catch a fish for his mother.

The court heard that he had been approached by a water bailiff who asked him if he had a licence and there were signs telling people of the rules.

But Worsnop, who had an expired rod licence, said there were no signs around the lake and added he had been told they had been removed.

He went on to produce advertising material downloaded off the internet which he claimed was misleading.

"I've no criminal record and I feel wronged, I've driven 30 miles so you can hear my voice," he told magistrates.

Worsnop, of Calverley Gardens, Leeds, was given an absolute discharge and awarded no costs, with the magistrates saying they believed there had been a "misrepresentation" of the facilities at the fisheries.

After the court case, Jamie Roberts, owner of the Kilnsey Park Estate, said they were sorry to hear about Mr Worsnop’s case.

"The fun fishing pond is an attraction for children but sometimes parents may have to help their children to land a big fish. The Environment Agency has chosen to take the view that this constitutes an adult fishing without a rod licence.

"Each year we help over 3,000 young people to have their first experience of fishing at Kilnsey Park and we’ve never known a case like this before. There are signs displayed around the park and a sign-in sheet for customers which state the Environment Agency rules and regulations.

"In July 2014, the old fun fishing shed was replaced for the Tour de France and some of the signs were being reprinted at the time of Mr Worsnop’s visit."