BROTHERS from Poole have been ordered to carry out community work after landing undersized shellfish and jumping on the catch when fisheries officers came aboard their boat.

Andrew and Christopher Skinner, both of Hamilton Road, appeared before magistrates in Southampton last month for sentence.

They were convicted of landing undersized shellfish, failing to comply with directions and obstruction.

They were also found guilty of offences under the Public Order Act.

Magistrates heard the pair were approached by fisheries officers in Poole Harbour on November 3 2015.

The men were landing a catch of shellfish at the time. Officers told the brothers they wanted to inspect their catch.

However, Christopher Skinner emptied out the sacks of shellfish and fish boxes and "jumped up and down" on the shellfish.

Andrew Skinner then tipped the contents of a shellfish sorting table into the water.

Both brothers were then "threatening and abusive" towards the officers.

A subsequent inspection of the dumped shellfish revealed that 45 per cent of the clams were under the minimum size.

Andrew Skinner was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,905, while Christopher Skinner will pay £1,855 in total.

In addition, each of the defendants was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work in the next 12 months.

The case was brought by the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.