Two fishermen are angling for an apology after bring pushed into the water as they fished in Birstall.
The men were left shaken and unable to properly enjoy their hobby again after Ashley Smith attacked them both within an hour on June 5.
The men, aged in their 40s and 50s, were fishing along at a lake in Kirkgate when they were approached by drunk Smith.
The first victim was on his own at 6am when Smith walked past, prosecutor Jill Seddon told Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.
She said: “The defendant walked past in drink and tried to engage in conversation with him about the cost of his equipment.
“He then leaned over him and pushed him in, the victim’s fishing equipment also falling into the lake.”
The Huddersfield court heard that the second attack happened 45 minutes to an hour later when another male fishing on his own was again pushed into the water by 22-year-old Smith.
Smith, of Crabtree Avenue in Heckmondwike, was identified via his distinctive tattoo and arrested.
He said that he’d just pushed the men in for a laugh but admitted that he felt disgusted with himself afterwards.
The victims suffered damage to their fishing equipment while the mobile phone of one of the men which had been in his pocket was also wrecked.
Mrs Seddon said: “They both felt shaken by the incident.
“The first complainant said that fishing was his escapism and where he goes to contemplate and sit by himself.
“Now he doesn’t want to go and his hobby has been affected.”
The second victim added that he had been so shaken by his ordeal that he had only gone back to fish once since.
A full probation report was ordered on Smith, who appeared in custody, ahead of his sentencing.
