Tv licence summons,i want to plead not guily

Ivory_Tinkler

We got the letters for months at work and we kept returning them stating it was a business and we didn't watch TV. The letters eventually stopped so I'm wondering why the OP didn't get the same letters?

Swan_2

glider3560 wrote: »

You don't need a licence if you only play games or watch DVDs, even if the TV has a tuner.

well said :T I was just about to post the same thing when I spotted yours

nomoneytoday

On the flip side you have had a tv and lived there for 4 years.
Therefore they would have sent the assortment of letters and demands.
So far, there is no proof you have a tv, or are using it for live broadcasts, so potentially no offence.

You then bought a freeview box, hence showing the intention to watch live tv.
You didn't buy a tv licence for a few days.
You then admitted to watching tv the previous day, showing that you now have a working tv and had a requirement for a licence.

QED you are guilty of watching without a licence, were caught and signed a form.

This may be mitigated by the answers above, but the point about having no licence and watching live TV is absolutely true. Have you bought the licence now?

fluffnutter

nomoneytoday wrote: »

You then bought a freeview box, hence showing the intention to watch live tv.

I think there were two boxes bought: one in August 2009 (a 'digibox') and one a few days ago (the 'freeview' box). It's not entirely clear when the OP's intention to start using the TV for live broadcast actually did start.

But I think many have made the point already: if you watch live TV broadcasts then you need to buy the licence and the TV Licensing Agency and courts won't accept otherwise.

Regarding the emotive issue of criminality, what needs to be demonstrated before you receive a hefty fine or a label of 'criminal' is that you deliberately chose not to buy the licence. The OP's first action should be to buy the licence - now! Going to court without one, and hoping to argue any case successfully won't work.

I too was visited by the TV Licence people. I was watching TV without a licence. I bought one the next day. No further hassle, no fine, no court summons.

solodanceparty

I have a TV, but I use it for DVDs and I have a computer hooked up to it. I've cancelled my TV licence because of it. I have gotten a letter when I cancelled telling me someone might come over. They did, and when they asked to come in I told them no and they went away. You do not have to let them in your house, they have as much right as the postman.

JohalaReewi

nomoneytoday wrote: »

You then bought a freeview box, hence showing the intention to watch live tv.

This does not require a TV licence.

Also, the intention to watch live TV does not automatically follow if you purchase a freeview box...
The freeview box could have been a gift for someone else.
The freeview box could be to listen to the radio channels (no licence needed).

maninthestreet

Torby wrote: »

I reckon if you've had the TV for a while....watched it even for games (it still has a built in tuner) and not purchased a licence.....or even purchased a licence after the door step visit....you may find you haven't a leg to stand on....regardless of any doorstep interview or whatever you want to call it....if you have a tv and no licence....AND you do nothing about it....AND apparently ignore any other correspondence which probably came before a summons (they dont go straight to court) you're snookered.....but I look forward to hearing more about this case...



as regards the "interviewer" telling lies.....bear in mind....you will be seen as the "criminal" as you have a TV and no licence....remember this is in the "eyes of the court"....so a bad time to proclaim your innocence by calling an enforcement officer a liar.

The court case is to determine whether or not the accused is guilty of the offence they are accused of committing, not rubberstamp some presumed idea of guilt. Since when was it not a good idea to challenge in the court the evidence provided by the prosecution, if you know it is has been fabricated?

nomoneytoday

JohalaReewi wrote: »

This does not require a TV licence.

Also, the intention to watch live TV does not automatically follow if you purchase a freeview box...
The freeview box could have been a gift for someone else.
The freeview box could be to listen to the radio channels (no licence needed).

Possibly. But since the OP admitted to watching telly and had the equipment to do so, on balance, I doubt it...

nomoneytoday

maninthestreet wrote: »

The court case is to determine whether or not the accused is guilty of the offence they are accused of committing, not rubberstamp some presumed idea of guilt. Since when was it not a good idea to challenge in the court the evidence provided by the prosecution, if you know it is has been fabricated?

Agreed, but if you were speeding at 80mph and the policeman wrote down 85mph would that detract from the fact that you were still going above 70mph?

On balance, if I were a judge (which i'm not) I would ask the OP to purchase a licence. The form wouldn't and doesn't change the underlying issue to make the OP innocent of the offence of watching telly without paying the £12 month telly tax.

withabix

To the OP: When did you buy a TV licence? It's 5 months since August.