Fishing boat seized in Guernsey waters

The beam trawler from Brixham was stopped by the Leopardess off the south coast of Guernsey

A Brixham registered beam trawler, suspected of fishing illegally, has been impounded by Guernsey's sea fisheries vessel, the Leopardess.

A spokeswoman for the Commerce and Employment Department confirmed that a vessel had been intercepted within a newly created 12-mile fishing limit.

The 42m (138ft) Becky Lou was escorted into St Peter Port harbour arriving just before 17:00 GMT.

The spokeswoman said a court appearance was likely to follow on Tuesday.

It is the first time a vessel has been impounded since the 12-mile limit, within which vessels need to be licensed in order to fish, was introduced at the start of February.