A BOURNEMOUTH diving instructor says his career could be over after he was convicted of diving in a 'controlled area' of Portland Harbour.

Alan John White, who is 54 and lives in St George’s Drive, was found guilty following a trial at Weymouth Magistrates' Court.

A district judge found he had committed a crime by diving in an area of Portland Harbour that is controlled due to shipping operations.

The offence took place on Friday, May 17.

PC Darrell Clarke, for the prosecution, said he was called when White and another diver were seen swimming underwater in a restricted area between Queen’s Pier and Mulberry Harbour.

Information about where it is safe to dive is published on Portland Harbour's website.

“I went and waited at Castletown slipway for the divers to come out of the water," PC Clarke said.

“I had a conversation with the two divers. I spoke to them about diving in a controlled area.

"Mr White said he didn’t think they were doing anything wrong."

White, representing himself, argued that the location of the bubbles may have been inaccurate due to depth and tide.

He said: “Are you aware bubbles from a diver on the surface may not indicate where the divers’ exact locations are?”

White, a diving instructor with a PADI qualification, told the court: "It's not in a diver’s nature to put themselves in harm’s way.

"The impact of the case to me is, if I am convicted, that’s the end of my diving career.”

District Judge Stephen Nicholls said that as a diving instructor White had a "duty" to make sure he is aware of which regulations apply and the areas that he "can and cannot enter".

White was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and a fine of £195.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20.