Guernsey bass allegation: Man returns to court

The man accused of stealing a big bass from his local aquarium and entering it into a sea fishing competition appeared in court again last week.

Guernsey resident Matthew Andrew Clark pleaded guilty to falsely claiming to have caught the 13lb 13oz fish in the Bailiwick Bass Club fishing competition, but denied a charge of trespassing at the island’s aquarium on 9th July and stealing the bass.

The 29-year-old has now been released on unconditional bail until the trial, the date of which has not yet been set.

As we reported two weeks ago, Mr Clark stands accused of taking the bass, which had lived in the aquarium for more than 15 years, before entering it in the prestigious competition in a bid to win the £800 prize for the biggest fish landed. 

The scandal came to light when one of the judges recognised the stolen fish, and police were called soon afterwards.