TV Licence Court Summons Help Please

mejjo203

Hi there all,

Yesterday i opened a brown envelope and was shocked to see im being taken to court for tv licence.

I moved into my home in May 2014, never got a tv licence as i don't want any live broadcast, i fully checked to see if i needed one and i don't, I watch DVD's and play computer games, Well come October 2014 an enforcement officer knocked the door and i spoke with him, I totally regret this now but can't be changed, He asked questions and cautioned me and i felt worried / scared and under pressure, He gave the impression i needed one as i have a phone and a tv in the property, I went along and setup a licence there and then with him on a weekly payment card.

After this i did some research online and once again confirmed i really DON'T need to have a licence. I contacted TV Licence by email to complain about him and they eventually responded basically saying if you don't need one then don't pay the licence and they said they don't feel they could refund the part payment i already made. I thought this was the end of it, however around 5 weeks later i had a letter from TV licence and it said we have decided not to prosecute you on this occasion. I was relieved to see that but not so worried as i knew i didn't need one.

Then yesterday i get the court summons and it states i committed an offence on the 14th October when an enforcement officer found me to be watching live tv without a valid licence, I'm really angry and frustrated, i first explain i don't need one and they send me a letter stating themselves that they won't prosecute, and now this.

I spoke with them on the phone about the court summons and they said that they will withdraw the summons if i pay for a FULL licence for £145, I explained i don't even need one and that i really don't want to have the stress of court, not with my health problems but they said if you believe you don't need one then continue with the court.

I'm really stressing over this, i couldn't sleep last night, I read the summons and the enforcement officer that came hasn't even put things correctly on it, he stated i refused to let him in because i was busy! He never even asked to come in! I really don't know what to do, If the court decide to fine me im sure it will be more than the licence fee, Do i just pay the £145 and have them withdraw it? It really angers me because i DONT need one and i shouldn't have to pay them a penny but it seems i'm trapped and won't have a leg to stand on and its going to cost me money i haven't got.

If anyone can supply any help i would be very very grateful.
Thank you.

LazyTyper

You state

he stated i refused to let him in because i was busy!

but how can he know you were watching live TV?

an enforcement officer found me to be watching live tv without a valid licence

Even then, the "officer" has no entitlement to enter your property.


What proof could they possibly have that you were watching live TV?

If it does go to court just take the letter from TV Licencing with you that states you will not be prosecuted. You have committed no offence (from what I gather) so you should have nothing to worry about.

mejjo203

That's exactly how it is.. I haven't done anything wrong, i got scared with the enforcement officer at the door cautioning me so set it up, Checked into it and could tell i was pretty much tricked, I guess i was plead not guilty on the summons and send it back.

ConsumerGuy0016

There's one rule when it comes to dealing with 'Enforcement officers'

No contact

When they come to your door and you identify that it's them, you simply close the door.

Nothing more, nothing less.

OP: Visit tvlicenceresistance.info if you want more information on how to best respond to your issue

pendragon_arther

LazyTyper wrote: »

but how can he know you were watching live TV?

What proof could they possibly have that you were watching live TV?

Because they have sophisticated monitoring equipment in their vans which can tell who is watching tv in the area and what they are watching.

samsmoot

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Because they have sophisticated monitoring equipment in their vans which can tell who is watching tv in the area and what they are watching.

Do they? Is there any evidence of this?

antrobus

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Because they have sophisticated monitoring equipment in their vans which can tell who is watching tv in the area and what they are watching.

Probably not.:)

See for example;
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2445153/Are-TV-detector-vans-just-cunning-trick-For-decades-claimed-trap-licence-cheats-In-fact-theyve-led-single-prosecution.html

Pyxis

Mejjo, write down, bullet point form and with dates, the complete sequence of events, as you have told us here.

Make two or three copies that you can hand to the Court Officials.

Make copies of any letters or documentation from TV licensing that you have, to hand to the Court.

Don't be frightened. You did your homework at least a couple of times and ascertained that you do not need a licence. Just tell the court what you have told us.

Good Luck.



However, do you actually own a TV that is connected to an aerial? If you do, then as I understand it, you do need a licence, whether or not you actually watch live TV.

mejjo203

I have a virgin box yes, The majority of the time the tv is off, I hardly even use the box to watch catch up. I wasn't aware i need one just for having a virgin box. Hmm i've read somewhere i don't, but now i'm questioning it after you say i will if i have my tv connected to something that can receive channels.

fatbelly

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Because they have sophisticated monitoring equipment in their vans which can tell who is watching tv in the area and what they are watching.

You're funny!

System

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Because they have sophisticated monitoring equipment in their vans which can tell who is watching tv in the area and what they are watching.