A DRUNK man who lunged at fisheries enforcement officers after being spotted on a lakeside with a friend illegally fishing has been fined for his threatening behaviour.

Callum Bell, 26, was seen sleeping on the banks of the Angel of the North Fishing Lakes alongside David Bilverstone, 23, who was using two fishing rods without a licence.

Two enforcement officers, also known as water bailiffs, witnessed the pair at the lake in July last year and approached them after seeing Bilverstone, of Northlands, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, with the rods.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard that while the bailiffs questioned Bilverstone, his friend, Bell, of Lyndsey Street, in Hetton-le-Hole, County Durham, woke up and began threatening the officers.

The Environment Agency prosecution stated: “Bilverstone said he didn’t have a licence and was compliant, however after officers began questioning him, Bell had awoken and it was evident he was affected by alcohol.

“Bell became aggressive and after being told he was being filmed on body-worn cameras, he said ‘f*** off – I’m not bothered if I’m on video or not, you’ll both get pushed in the pond’.

“Bell lunged at the officers and attempted to grab the baton in the officer’s holster, but he was pushed away.”

The 26-year-old continued to shout abuse at the water bailiffs as they left the site and later stated in an interview that he had been drunk and apologised for his behaviour.

Bell pleaded guilty to two counts of using threatening words and behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence and a further two counts of obstructing a constable in execution of duty.

Bilverstone did not appear in court and a single charge of fishing without a licence was proved in his absence – he was fined £110 and ordered to pay £180 in court costs.

Bell was fined £267 and ordered to pay £530 in court costs on top of the pair splitting a further £438 in costs.