Dad faces jail after pretending to catch frozen fish

Published May 31 2012, 22:35 BST  |  By Alice Stewart

A father faces prosecution after he used a frozen fish in a prank.

While on holiday in Tyrol, Austria, Alexander Donninger and his wife Stefanie bought a frozen fish and decided to attach it to the end of their children's fishing line as a joke.

The couple, who purchased the trout the previous day, said that it had already been gutted and was ready to cook. However, on seeing the family by the river at Kufstein, a local man reported them for illegal fishing.

Alexander claimed that the man who approached the family was aware the fish was frozen, and spoke to them without mentioning his intention to report them.

A spokesperson for local police authorities said: "Regardless of whether he had a frozen fish on the line or not, it is illegal to have a rod in the water without a license."

Alexander could face a possible six months in prison if convicted, due to the owner of the lake saying there is no proof the fish was frozen.

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