A man has been fined after he was caught speeding past swans in a boat on the River Wensum.

Eastern Daily Press: Richard Gibbs speeding in his boat on the River Wensum. Picture Broads Authority.Richard Gibbs speeding in his boat on the River Wensum. Picture Broads Authority. (Image: Broads Authority)

Richard Gibbs, 49, was caught on three seperate occasions exceeding the 4mph speed limit on the river in Norwich while behind the wheel of a motor boat named Cindy.

He was also prosecuted for exceeding the 5mph speed limit past the Whitlingham Woods car park on the River Yare.

Evidence against Gibbs included photographs which showed the excessive wake being caused as he sped by nearby swans on the Wensum.

Gibbs, of Rouen Road, Norwich, was fined a total of £2,350 at Norwich Magistrates Court and ordered to pay the balance of an unpaid toll for the boat as well as costs of £200 and a £100 victim surcharge.

A second man was prosecuted for offences while navigating a sports cruiser called L'Attitude at Breydon Water.

Andrew Armitage, of Perseverance Street, Leeds, was fined £660 for failing to navigate with care and caution and £440 for failing to navigate at safe speed.

Although the stretch of water at Breydon does not have a speed limit, the speed at which Armitage was travelling was deemed to be excessive and the Broads Authority said it caused damage and considerable distress to others on the water.

Armitage was also instructed to pay a victim surcharge of £66 and costs of £150.

Following the prosecutions Lucy Burchnall, head of ranger services at the Broads Authority, said she hoped these fines would send a clear message to those who sped on the Broads.

'I am pleased that these two cases have resulted in sizable fines for these individuals, which should send a clear message to the small number of careless boaters that speed,' she said. 'This behaviour causes distress to people enjoying the Broads National Park and is a danger to wildlife as well as having the potential to cause serious damage and injury.

'Our rangers will always take appropriate action when they see these offences taking place.'

She also urged anyone witnessing boats that were speeding or being driven carelessly to note details such as the boat name or registration and report it to Broads Control on 01603 756056.