Camera Shy Northern Irish TV Licensing Goon

A video was uploaded yesterday showing a camera shy Northern Irish TV Licensing goon in action.

At first glance this appears nondescript footage of a very brief doorstep encounter, but if you listen carefully you will hear how the goon dishonestly claims the occupier has no right to film him. After a bit of huffing and puffing the young goon, who is probably only in his 20s, breaches TV Licensing rules by threatening to phone to police to stop the occupier filming. He is clearly unimpressed that his boyish good looks have been captured on camera.

The goon clearly recognised that he was dealing with a clued-up opponent, so retreated to the safety of his car a short distance up the street. The occupier's dog snapped at the goon's heels as he slimed his way back down the driveway. 

The goon is seen using his mobile phone as he walks back to the car. A colleague has speculated that he may have been phoning his Mum for advice: "I'm sorry Mum, but I've been caught on camera at work. I can't take the shame of all my friends finding out that I'm not really a rent boy, but I'm actually a TV Licensing goon".

Regular readers will know that it is perfectly legal for the occupier of a property to film TV Licensing goons, or anyone else for that matter, when they are on the doorstep or in a public place.

The law requires that a licence is obtained for those properties where equipment is used to receive television programme services. In simple terms that means you need a licence to watch TV programmes on any channel available to others in the UK at the same time. 

Anyone who does not legally need a TV licence, like the occupier of the property in this case, is under no legal obligation to communicate or co-operate with TV Licensing at all. TV Licensing goons have been known to tell lies in order to boost their commission payments. For that reason it's best to say nothing and close the door on them.