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Original poster

TV Licence

25 replies

lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 13:15

This is gonna sound rele bad so I make no excuses beforehand. The TV licence people came in an hour or so ago and they asked a whole lot of questions and I now have a form to say that they are taking this to the Procurator Fiscal and I may be prosecuted. Rele worried I will go to court? What could the procurator fiscal do? And could this be on my criminal record.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 09/08/2013 15:20

You can be fined up to £1000 although it is likely that the actual fine will be much less than that. The average fine is less than £200. I'm afraid this will go on your record - not having a licence is a criminal offence.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:22

Yes I know I am in the wrong and intending to get this sorted ASAP. I know I need to face up to the consequences.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:22

i think that it is a civil offence not a criminal offence but i could be wrong.
typically the fine will be in the region of £200.
did you actually admit that you didnt have a licence and have a tv?

burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:24

no i am wrong it is a criminal offence.
oops then i have a ccriminal record.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:25

Been in new flat for two months now. I admitted to not having one at the moment and that i was still in the process of sorting out my bills.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 09/08/2013 15:32

I'd get one ASAP. It won't necessarily help, but it may be taken into consideration, and you may not be prosecuted if you can backdate it 2 months. I'm not sure if that is possible online, but they used to do it on the phone.

You'll still be fined, I imagine.

burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:36

you better get one tbh , you can get a card where u pay weekly or borrow some money to cover it, because they WILL take u to court, and they WILL fine you.
whoever said the BBC was not an arm of the state?

burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:37

alternatively get rid of the TV

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:39

I am thinking my best bet is to get one of the cards when you can pay fortnightly. I doubt though this is gonna change the situation though as I am most probably gonna go to court now.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:42

do it lesley.
i had to attend court for this the same morning that a v high profile child killer was having his first hearing....that was fun i can tell you.
if you do get a summons, plead guilty by post and write in there that u have one now, both of those things will reduce the fine.
and if you are worried about CRB, don't.

nona2706 · 09/08/2013 15:43

I had moved house and was only in 3 weeks and the man cane to the door and i filled it in there and then to pay by direct debit every month.i never got fined or taken to court. If you can sort it today ot might be better.the letter i got thanked me for setting up the licence and because i had done that they wouldn't take me to court.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:44

I know it is my best option now and I will. I am worried about the whole court thing though and I know I should have thought about this beforehand.

OP posts:
Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:46

Did they come into your flat? nona2706

OP posts:
nona2706 · 09/08/2013 15:49

They came into the house and i openly admitted i had moved in 3 weeks before hand and had just got the sky set up the day before they came and that i was in the middle of sorting out all my bills etc.

nona2706 · 09/08/2013 15:51

They read me my rights and all that and said i was under caution and could be prosecuted but i think it helped that i was honest and set up the payments there and then. Plus i also had a nice man dealing with me. Is this your 1st offence with them?

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:52

I am under caution as well and this is my first offence though at the time I wasnt given the option to pay. I was just told it was being sent to the procurator fiscal.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 15:54

you really shouldnt let them in you know - they have absolutely no right o entry into your house. the last one that came here even had a fake warrant with him, i told him to sling his hook.
nobody has right of entry into your house except a police officer with a genuine warrant although it is best to let police officers in anyway.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 15:58

I know maybe I shouldnt have let them into the flat though at the time I totally paniced and didnt know what to do. Totally messing myself now.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 16:00

lesley do not worry too much - it is all just bollocks and paperwork - just get a TV licence or ditch the telly ASAP.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 16:01

I plan to get the licence and will need to pay any fine even if I struggle to afford it.

OP posts:
CajaDeLaMemoria · 09/08/2013 16:05

Are you going to get the license today?

You really need too. That might prevent further court action.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 16:07

On the phone to them just now

OP posts:
Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 16:15

Just phoned them, I have now set up a direct debit so it will come off fortnightly though there is still a chance I could be taken to court to pay back what I owe.

OP posts:
burberryqueen · 09/08/2013 16:45

could you not offer to pay that in the instalements?
bastards, everyone has to squeeze as much as they can out of us, they should stamp us with a barcode at birth.

Original poster
lesleyb1990 · 09/08/2013 16:47

I rele hope I am able to, as I am rele not looking forward to the whole court thing.

OP posts:
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