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Log in100 in court for TV licence dodging in Northampton
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100 in court for TV licence dodging in Northampton
by Admin on Fri Jul 11, 2008 5:45 am
More than 100 people have been hauled before the courts in Northampton this week for TV licence evasion.
And sports fans have been warned to make sure they have a licence if they want to watch the Beijing Olympics, even if they watch online.
On Tuesday, 61 people appeared before Northampton Magistrates Court, and yesterday another 46 were seen.
Mike Whitehouse, regional spokesman for TV Licensing said: "While TV licence evasion is a matter for the courts, this demonstrates the effectiveness of TV licence methods and the success of our ongoing campaign to catch TV Licence evaders.
"We have a computer database of more than 29m UK addresses which allows us to see unlicensed addresses at the touch of a button."
He added that businesses and residents needed to be aware a licence was still needed to watch big televised sports events, even on computers.
He said: "Whereas in the past employees may have taken a day off to catch the action, events like the Olympics will be broadcast online this summer, meaning people can watch from the comfort of their desks even if there isn't a TV set at work.
"While not all businesses have a TV set, most will have computers with broadband connections, capable of receiving programmes as they are broadcast, meaning that more businesses will now require a TV Licence if staff are watching programmes in this way."
People found to be using TV equipment without a valid licence risk prosecution, fines of up to £1,000 and they will still need to buy a licence.
A TV Licence costs £139.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/business or by calling 0844 800 5832.
Northampton Chronicle
And sports fans have been warned to make sure they have a licence if they want to watch the Beijing Olympics, even if they watch online.
On Tuesday, 61 people appeared before Northampton Magistrates Court, and yesterday another 46 were seen.
Mike Whitehouse, regional spokesman for TV Licensing said: "While TV licence evasion is a matter for the courts, this demonstrates the effectiveness of TV licence methods and the success of our ongoing campaign to catch TV Licence evaders.
"We have a computer database of more than 29m UK addresses which allows us to see unlicensed addresses at the touch of a button."
He added that businesses and residents needed to be aware a licence was still needed to watch big televised sports events, even on computers.
He said: "Whereas in the past employees may have taken a day off to catch the action, events like the Olympics will be broadcast online this summer, meaning people can watch from the comfort of their desks even if there isn't a TV set at work.
"While not all businesses have a TV set, most will have computers with broadband connections, capable of receiving programmes as they are broadcast, meaning that more businesses will now require a TV Licence if staff are watching programmes in this way."
People found to be using TV equipment without a valid licence risk prosecution, fines of up to £1,000 and they will still need to buy a licence.
A TV Licence costs £139.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/business or by calling 0844 800 5832.
Last Updated:
10 July 2008 10:33 AM
Source:
Northampton Chron & Echo
Location:
Northampton
Northampton Chronicle
