TV Licence summons??

Loop

Ok heres goes...

Back in May this year, I had not long moved into my house and I had been severly ill with manic depression. I didnt get around to swapping my TV licence address over, and it ran out, however at the time I truly thought it was still being paid by DD (only a few days before this I was in hospital if i remember correctly)

Anyway someone from TV licencing came round and I let her in, told her I was sorry I had been ill and had not realised I didnt have a licence (I wasn't even dressed-seh could see i was not in my right mind im sure)

She made me sign something after asking about my TV etc. I dont not remember the caution or reading anything, she just asked me to sign.

Then she gave me a payment card and told me if I carried on paying on the card everything would be ok, but if I didn't they could prosecute me.

Fine....or so I thought.

Today I get a summons apparently they are taking action against me from that visit, of course Im totally shocked, I have been paying on time, and last week i even called to pay in full but their computers were down!!!

Now im going to be fined and have a criminal conviction, how pray is this fair?

I just can't cope anymore, Im trying hard to fight my illness but living 'normally' like everyone else seems such an uphill struggle. I never flout the law, and try to live a decent life, paying my bills on time etc. Does anyone have any expreiences of this?

Turning_into_scrooge

Search on the i think warnings board as a guy has posted about the same thing regarding a friend. I think the title of his thred states you onlly get 11 months usuage out of a license even though you pay for 12 and contact CAB as soon as possible or a solicitor and good luck.

Loop

cheers for that, how very dare they!

Turning_into_scrooge

Good luck with it, from what i can remember the lady he posting about was very similar to yourself in that she had ill health. Forgive me i do actually have memory problems but i think she may of had depression what kind i cannot remember but please don't let this set you back and i know that is easier said that done as i have depression too. Get angry and kick them hard, its time this despicable method of getting people to sign was dealt with. If its not on the warnings board its on the vent board.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=261413&highlight=tv+license

hjb123

I second what the previous posters say, dont let them get to you too much - though I realise this is easier said than done.

Also get some help and advise from your local Citizens Advice Bureau who will be able to help you. Write down everything that you can remember from that visit and from the whole television license saga from start to finish. Have you tried calling them to find out whats going on and why you have been able to pay etc and that they never explained what they were doing

BestFootForward_2

Assuming the court case goes ahead:

Try to find out what they know.
Request a copy of their data on you, under the Data Protection Action. Address the letter to their Data Protection Officer. They'll charge you £10, but if it does go to court, then you can be well prepared.
I would also get a medical report from your doctor to show the judge.
Hopefully, the judge will be sympathetic to your situation.

Get legal advice
Check your contents insurance - some policies include legal cover, and have a phone number to ask advice.

Or contact CAB, or a lawyer.

Good luck!!

Astaroth

Any of your home insurance with "Family Legal Protection" will include a 24/7 free legal advice line but for this sort of thing the CAB will most likely be better.

The form that you signed (remembering the time I was caught without a licence) was a statement to confirm that you had a tv or similiar device. I know when I gave the inspector a sob story and signed up for DD payments then and there he said it would be down to a different department to decide if I would be prosecuted but that the fact I had filled the form in for the DD then and there would put me in good standing.

tobedifferent

Hi Hon,

I've posted on the warnings board as my friend had a similar problem above. PM me if you need any support or help.

Def defend yourself in court, get down the CAB and see if they can help if not go to court and plead not guilty, they should be able to arrange a solicitor for you. Would you be entitled to legal aid?

I think you should go and plead not guilty. I've read through the communications act and over the offence of not having a licence and it says you must have the intention of using a TV without a licence. In my job during the IUC its my responsibility to prove that persons knowledge and intent, seems that TV licencing are flouting this and getting away with it. They are not above the law and need to understand that.

I've sent you a PM.

Loop

Thanks everyone for the help, sorry I have not replied sooner, but this upset me so much it made me very ill.

I can't fight it, im too tired and ill, im going to plead guilty and get my fine like a good girl.

Thanks everyone

Lou xx

JWM

Oh Hun, you know yourself best but please don't give in and let them win. Do you have a friend who could assist you with this?

You are not a criminal, please don't just accept it - its not right or fair!

Poor you - I'm sending the largest hug I can find :grouphug:

Keep strong!

JohalaReewi

If possible, don't just give in. They have bullied you into signing a bogus confession and are going to use that against you. These are spanish inquisition tactics and TVL should not get away with it. I know it is not going to be easy given your current medical condition but this should work in your favour. definitely see the CAB for advice and get legal representation. TVL will have some (if they turn up). Also check out stuff at this forum

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=4&sid=9b59464fe7e3666a87d78473d85e5735

http://www.tvlicensing.biz/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3&sid=9b59464fe7e3666a87d78473d85e5735