Cockle collecting on St Ishmaels beach cost a quad-bike rider nearly £1,000.

Adam Price, of New Street, Bury Port, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates on Wednesday, September 26.

He pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a bylaw on December 18 by fishing, removing, or disturbing shell-fish.

The court heard that the area was closed for fishing between October 20 and December 31, 2017, because of low stock.

A marine enforcement officer was at St Ishmaels beach on December 18, when he spotted Price on a quad-bike through his binoculars, and noticed he appeared to be loading five sacks onto the vehicle.

Price, 41, rode off in the direction of the slipway, and was also be in possession of a bucket and rake when he was approached by the officer.

He was found to have collected a haul of cockles valued at £165, and stated he had seen others collecting in the area and thought he would ‘have a go’.

Price, who represented himself, said: “As soon as I knew I was in the wrong, I put them back.”

Magistrates fined Price the value of the catch, £165, and ordered him to pay £800 towards prosecution costs and a £30 surcharge.