A boat owner who allowed a teenager to take control of his vessel and then exceed the speed limit on Windermere in the Lake District has been fined.

Leon Jones landed himself in legal hot water as a bailiff patrol worker spotted his sports boat racing across Windermere on August 29, Carlisle’s magistrates’ court heard.

After hearing evidence, District Judge Gerald Chalk ruled that Jones, from Southport, was guilty of the two offences before the court: failing to properly display the boat’s registration number; and navigating the water at a speed which was in excess of the 10 knots speed limit.

Chris Toms, presenting the case, said the boat was seen travelling at 24 knots.

The official speed limit on Windermere is set at 10 knots.

In control of the boat at the time was a 15-year-old boy. When questioned, Jones told the bailiff that the boy was under instruction at the time he exceeded the speed limit.

Finding the case proved, Judge Chalk imposed fines of £400 for each offence, along with costs of £300 and a £40 surcharge.

The defendant was not in court for the hearing.