Blackpool Magistrates decide fate of Cleveleys man's Koi carp fish collection worth more than £20k

The fate of dozens of expensive Japanese fish – believed to be worth more than £20,000 – was in the hands of the bench at the Blackpool court.

The owners of the aquatic collection are to move house this week, but husband Steven Knott, 52, is banned from the family home in Ivy Gardens, Thornton Cleveleys.

He is currently awaiting trial on allegations that he assaulted his wife and adult son, as well as damaging the home’s central heating boiler.

Under the terms of his court bail, Knott – who is now living with his elderly parents – is forbidden from visiting his home, which is to be sold.

His movements are tracked by a GPS monitoring tag and he is under strict orders to obey a curfew between 9pm and 6am.

It posed a problem for the court and was a worry for the Koi aficionado, who was eager to save the fish before new owners move into the house on Wednesday (October 19).

Appearing before Magistrates, Knott pleaded for his bail terms to be relaxed over the weekend so he could move his beloved tropical fish collection.

His lawyer Gerry Coyle said: “This is a massive task involving tens of thousands of pounds worth of fish in an outdoor pond and a huge three by one metre indoors tank.”

He said there was a large amount of electrical equipment involved and an underground sump which had to be disconnected and removed before the keys to the home were handed to the new owners.

The lawyer added: “This all needs specialist acquisitive knowledge and strength. His wife cannot accomplish this alone.”

The court heard that the fish were to be put into specialist care whilst Knott awaits the outcome of his assault trial.

Prosecutor Pam Smith said: “This is a very difficult decision. The couple have had a 30-year relationship but the Crown believe there is a risk.”

The court heard that Mrs Knott and her family would have to move out of the home whilst her husband dealt with the issue of the soon-to-be homeless fish.

Magistrates agreed to lift the GPS tag which keeps a watch on Mr Knott’s location, whilst he returns to the family home in Ivy Gardens over the weekend.

He was permitted to move the fish and equipment between 9am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The bench chairman told Knott that his other bail terms remained in force, and he was warned not to have any contact with his wife and son.

He told Knott: “I hope you have a clear plan in place for those two days for the fish removal.”

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