A MAN who was charged with breaching lockdown rules by going on an overnight fishing trip says it has been proven he is 'in the right' after prosecutors dropped charges.

Darren Reid, 49, fought a £200 fixed penalty fine handed down by police after he travelled from Barrow to Windermere to fish overnight with a friend.

He was ready for a court fight to prove his view that he was acting legally.

It was alleged that Mr Reid had breached regulations by visiting Far Sawrey for the overnight trip on November 7.

Charges alleged that he was staying away from home without reasonable excuse.

He was due to stand trial at South Cumbria Magistrates' for the offence before it was discontinued by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Mr Reid, a part-time carer, has insisted that he was following the rules by taking part in his chosen recreational activity.

He also claimed that other nearer fishing spots would not have been suitable on the day.

Mr Reid said: "I was in the right. they were forcing me to pay something I legally didn't have to pay

"I was going to allow myself to be browbeaten into paying a fine I can't afford.

"I'm happy they decided to drop the charge.

"I just feel they should have done it sooner.

"They should have investigated properly

"It's wasted the court's and police time."

CPS prosecutors have previously stressed that all cases relating to lockdown rules are thoroughly reviewed by solicitors familiar with the legislation.

The second national lockdown came into force on November 5 after the prime minister, Boris Johnson, warned of a potential 'medical and moral disaster' for the NHS.

Mr Reid said he had been compliant with lockdown rules and other measures to prevent the spread of Covid during the pandemic.

He said: "I've been telling people to wear masks and get vaccinated

"I'm not one of these conspiracy theorists.

"I did what I did because I legally had the right to do what I was doing."

The fisherman claimed he had the support of the Angling Trust when it came to contesting the fine.

Mr Reid insisted he was not putting anyone at risk with his visit and could not have contributed to the spread or contraction of the virus.

He said he travelled to Windermere with his friend in separate vehicles and stayed socially distanced in separate tents while fishing.

After a year of lockdown CPS prosecutors checked 1,821 finalised cases under the Coronavirus Act and Health Protection Regulations 2020.

They found 549 incorrect charges were identified, which were either withdrawn by prosecutors at the first court hearing or returned to the relevant CPS area to be set aside.