An illegal angler has been banned from fishing for two-and-a-half years.

Khan Marshall, 21, of Temple Dene Avenue, Staines, received the fishing ban when he appeared at Woking Magistrates' Court last Friday.

He was also fined £200 for leaving a rod unattended and a further £200 for fishing with three rods but only holding a single licence and was ordered to pay £70 costs to the Environment Agency for both cases.

Marshall was banned from fishing by the court from holding a rod licence after magistrates took into account a string of prosecutions dating back to 2002.

The court heard that on July 10 last year Marshall had left his rod unattended at Twynersh Fishing Complex in Chertsey, Surrey, contrary to a national bylaw.

A month later on August 13 Environment Agency enforcement officers discovered Marshall at the same fishery using three rods but with only a single rod licence which contravened the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975.

Fisheries enforcement officer Graham Haynes, said: "Mr Marshall has a long history of floating the laws of fishing in this country.

From his first warning letter in 2002 he has appeared before magistrates three times for failing to hold a £24 rod licence and giving false names and addresses to officers, racking up a total of £650 in fines and costs.

"It is very rare for an angler to be banned from holding a rod licence, but this extreme measure was taken because of Mr Marshall's persistent offending. If he is caught fishing within those two-and-a-half years he can not only expect his equipment to be confiscated but he will also find himself with another day in court.

"Those who fish without a licence are not only risking hefty fines, they are also cheating their fellow anglers and the future of angling. Fisheries laws are in place to protect the environment, so they must be adhered to."

The Environment Agency puts all money raised from rod licences straight back into fisheries work, which helps to protect the environment.

Rod licences can be purchased from post offices around the country or for a small charge they can be bought over the phone 0870 166 2662 or from the Environment Agency's website.