TV licence: WTF???

[FrustratedMod]

Last year a guy from TV licensing came to the door because we didn't have a valid tv licence. Oops, we'd stupidly cancelled the direct debit and failed to set it up again - extenuating circumstances of having a tiny baby, explained this to him and paid arrears on the doorstep (a few months worth). I'm nor disputing that I need to pay for my tv licence, I always have, quite happily. This was just an oversight.

This morning I have received a court summons, because I have committed the offence of using a colour TV without a licence between 06/10/12 and 07/11/12 - ONE MONTH!! I've paid all arrears! I don't get it - am I going to get a massive fine??? What can I do? Spoke to call centre this morning who say there's nothing they can do but confirmed we currently have a valid licence.

I think I do have a receipt however I've just read the documentation again and apparently it is an offence even if you've paid the arrears - basically because someone came round to collect the money. If we'd rung up and done it over the phone before that it would've been fine.

Will just have to plead guilty by post and hope they're lenient in fining me but I already have to pay £90 costs! Ffs!

TV Licensing are a nightmare. I pay my daughter's at Uni and they will not speak to me because I am not her and won't speak to her because it is not her bank account the money comes out from. They deny there is a licence at her address, then deny there is any such address. They reduced my daughter to tears of frustration. Fortunately I can prove I have paid but without doubt they are the most couldn't give a damn, unprofessional, bullying and unpleasant of organisations even when you are trying to give them the bloody money. My sympathies are with you.