TWO poachers resorted to barbaric means to illegally snare spawning salmon.

John Richard Spaven and Darren Smitheringale, both of Thames Road, Skelton, admitted using a spear to catch fish after Environment Agency officers discovered the weapon in their car.

They pleaded guilty to three charges against the Salmon and Freshwater Act 1975 at Guisborough Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The court heard they were spotted by agency fisheries enforcement officers late at night last December 3 at Skelton Beck.

They were seen shining a light into the water before putting fish into a bag and placing it in the boot of a nearby parked car. Fisheries officers discovered three spawning fish - a salmon and two sea trout - in the boot of the car along with a lamp and a long-handled spear.

When interviewed, Spaven admitted using the home-made spear, fashioned from a broom handle and three welded barbs. Smitheringale said he had used the lamp to help catch the fish by attracting them to the light.

They offered no defence in court.

Environment Agency Fisheries Officer Andrew Delaney said: "The use of lamps and spears to catch fish is barbaric and banned under fisheries laws across the country. It was outlawed centuries ago, which says a great deal about how cruel it is.

"Not only did these two men break those laws, they were caught in the possession of spawning fish, which need to be protected so the species survives for future generations."

The Environment Agency was contacted by a member of the public as the result of a campaign encouraging people to report poachers. Mr Delaney said: "Had we not received that call from a concerned member of the public, many more salmon may have suffered horrendously."

Both were fined £150 and each were ordered to pay £150 in costs.