A boat owner who tried to use a human rights defence when he flouted a council mooring bylaw has been fined £720.

Christopher Akerman, 39, left his boat, The Longwood Lady, moored to Richmond Council-owned Ham Lands and ignored enforcement action taken on four occasions from March to June 2015.

Mr Akerman told Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court during a one-day trial on Monday, February 1, that a bylaw making mooring on the land illegal breached his human rights, so he ignored warnings from both the police and the council.

Mr Akerman, who is unemployed, also told the court the enforcement notice breached his right to a family life and would make him homeless.

The decision to fine Akerman was hailed as a triumph for common sense by Greater London Assembly member and councillor Tony Arbour.

Coun Arbour said: “I am particularly pleased that the claim that it is a human right to moor illegally has been dismissed.

"I very much hope that the Council and Environment Agency will now be successful in prosecuting illegal moorers who claim that because their boats are not tied to the bank but to poles in the riverbed they are not really moored.”

In March 2015 the bylaw, which means the owner of a boat moored on Council land is committing a criminal offence, became active.

A community of boaters living on the river at Teddington Lock claimed at the time that the bylaw was overly strict and would ruin the character of the river.

James Heslip, who moved his narrowboat after the bylaw was imposed said at the time: “They want to chuck people out of the homes they have chosen for themselves.

"We are no different to anyone else, we just chose to live on a boat rather than in a house."

Council cabinet member for environment Pamela Fleming said she was delighted with the prosecution of Mr Akerman as the first real test of the bylaw.

Coun Fleming said: “Its creation has been considered to be robust by the court and we will be using these powers again very soon.

“I hope this sends a clear message to anyone who tries to blot our riverside in this way.

"The council will not hesitate in taking action against you.”