A persistent illegally moored barge that "blighted" the riverside has been moved on from Ham following a "ground-breaking" prosecution, Richmond Council said.

According to officers, Andrew Haddon, 61, had been moored at Ham Lands Nature Reserve for four consecutive days in May, despite vessels only being allowed the remain for one hour.

He also moored his boat permanently at Broom Road Rec but failed to register the vessel with the Environment Agency.

Haddon initially told council enforcement officers he was unaware mooring at the Ham Lands was not permitted for more than one hour.

But he later admitted to three offences under the new byelaw passed earlier this year, which the council fought strongly for.

Richmond Council cabinet member for environment Councillor Pamela Fleming said: the prosecution which served as a clear message.

She said: "We will not tolerate illegally moored vessels blighting our riverside.

"It is a ground-breaking prosecution and the first of its kind in London.

"For years the council has worked for a byelaw to clampdown on this problem and we were delighted when the government finally gave its approval earlier this year.

"I thank the council officers, the police, in particular the Marine Unit and the Teddington Safer Neighbourhood Team, and the Environment Agency, for all their hard work in making this prosecution possible.

He was fined £270 at Putney Magistrates' Court and the council was awarded £100 in costs.

The amount due to be paid reflected the fact that he is already paying off approximately £2,000 in fines and costs on a monthly basis for illegally mooring his barge, Karadeana II and a second grey unnamed vessel.

Haddon has not been in breach of the byelaw since his previous offence committed in May.