A FRENCH skipper will be sentenced in the Magistrate’s Court this morning for fishing illegally in Guernsey waters. Sea Fisheries officers caught Phillipe Ridel, 36, trawling for king scallops on Wednesday lunchtime.

He was between 0.37 and 0.75 nautical miles inside the 12-mile limit.

In court yesterday, Mr Ridel admitted the offence and was initially fined £3,000.

But when it became apparent that the funds would take at least two days to clear, Magistrate Russell Finch decided to adjourn sentencing to this morning.

In the meantime, Mr Ridel might have to sell the stocks of shellfish found on his boat, Celtit, which had been caught legally outside Guernsey waters.

The catch was worth £1,970, the court heard. The scallops caught in Guernsey waters were released back into the sea when the vessel was arrested.

The court heard that at 12.40pm on Wednesday, Sea Fisheries officers on patrol in the Leopardess detected Celtit inside the six to 12-mile limit.

In this area, French fishermen are only allowed to fish for demersal – seabed-living – fish and crab.

At 12.51pm the vessel was 0.37 nautical miles inside the 12-mile limit. Seven minutes later it was 0.75 nautical miles inside.

The boat was boarded at 1pm and officers found Mr Ridel, of 76370 Neville, Dieppe, France, was fishing for king scallops.

He was ordered to recover his gear, which consisted of beams and dredges. It contained king scallops.

The vessel was brought to St Peter Port Harbour and, during interview, Mr Ridel admitted the offence.

Crown Advocate Philip Robey, prosecuting, said that Mr Ridel had been allowed to keep the legally-caught scallops, which were alive on the boat.

Advocate Sarah Brehaut said that her client, who admitted the offence in court, had cooperated fully with the authorities.

He had no previous convictions and apologised to the court.

Advocate Brehaut said that Mr Ridel had been fishing most of the morning, had lunch and ‘drifted’ into Guernsey waters.

She added that there had been no loss to the local stock as the scallops caught were returned to the sea.

Magistrate Russell Finch accepted that the offence was towards the lower end of the scale and imposed a £3,000 fine.

But when it became apparent that funds from France would take at least two days to reach the court’s account, Mr Ridel was brought back before the Magistrate.

Advocate Brehaut said that her firm was not prepared to put up the money, adding that confirmation from the French bank that the funds were being transferred was available to the court. However, this was not acceptable to HM Sheriff.

Mr Finch said he did not want to lock Mr Ridel up in the States Prison until the money was forthcoming, but neither did he want him to go back to France ‘never to be seen again’.

Advocate Robey, who was brought back to court to help decide what to do, was also concerned that the legally-caught shellfish on Mr Ridel’s boat would die by Monday.

Advocate Brehaut suggested that Mr Ridel might sell the catch locally to realise part of the fine.

‘I have not technically finished dealing with this case,’ said Mr Finch, deciding to adjourn sentencing.

Mr Ridel was bailed to return to court this morning, on the condition that he did not leave or attempt to leave the island.