ISLANDERS caught without a TV licence are escaping prosecution.
While detector vans have since November reportedly found 60 householders illegally watching television, none seems to have been prosecuted.
Trevor Butcher has refused to pay his licence for the last seven years and the only consequence has been a monthly letter threatening him with a court appearance and a fine.
He had paid his licence by Direct Debit until he discovered that it was not in his name. When TV Licensing refused to change the name without copies of his utility bills, Mr Butcher stopped paying.
About a month later a TV inspector knocked on his door.
‘He asked if I had a TV and I said yes, several,’ said Mr Butcher. ‘He then asked about whether I had a licence. I explained what had happened and he spoke to his head office, but he couldn’t get it changed either. I refuse to pay until this is settled,’ he said.
‘I want them to take me to court. They keep saying they will take action, but I am still waiting.’
A TV Licensing spokesman said: ‘The matter is handed over to the Guernsey Constabulary to action – the decision to prosecute is taken by them.’
- Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. See below for subscription details.
Article posted on 4th February, 2010 - 11.30am
11 Article Comments
“Quick Vyvyan- eat the TV!”
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as now the bbc put on adverts in between programes i dont see why we should pay a tv licence at all ,
its just like itv ?????????????????
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Frosty it`s not a TV, it`s a toaster!!
But seriously!! I pay so why should they get
away with fraud.
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Trevor is not trying to evade a licensing fee. He is rightfully withholding funds until his complaints as a customer are resolved. This is no different than a tenant withholding rent from a negligent landlord, when their rental home is in disrepair. However, to avoid any doubts, it perhaps would not be a bad idea to set aside back payments in trust with an advocate, to further reinforce he is not committing fraud, but rather, is waiting for services to be rendered.
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Andy
“because I only use it to play on my Playstation guv” **
** Warning, this comment may contain product placement advertising.
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‘The matter is handed over to the Guernsey Constabulary to action – the decision to prosecute is taken by them’
Presumably the decision NOT to prosecute is also taken by them which suggests it’s not an offence.
The Police will say that prosecution decisions are taken by the Law Officers of the Crown so if THEY’RE also saying it’s not an offence then we might as well all donate our annual licence fee to Les Bourgs or Haiti
On the other hand the Law Officers might just be too busy working on the Cobo car park conundrum
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Ray,
The decision by the police, or the Law Officers not to prosecute does not mean something is not an offence.
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Truth Man
OK. Good point, but surely this is a black and white case … unless it’s a colour TV of course.
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You can bet your bottom dollar that they will be persuaded to prosecute from now on.
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The TV licensing support centre is absolute tosh, it takes ages to have a response, and almost always doesn’t stop the problem.
We’ve been getting “You’re TV license has ran out” through the post for months now, calling them up, emailing them and writing letters doesn’t stop them. Good on Trevor.
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On a side note in the UK they prosecute people for aiding and abettingany criminal offence so I guess we are all nicked.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7138594/Millionaire-jailed-for-death-by-dangerous-driving-despite-not-being-at-the-wheel.html
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