TV Licensing Dubious Evidence Thrown Out of Court

A Merseyside man is celebrating after being cleared of TV licence evasion after TV Licensing presented what can only be described as extremely dubious evidence against him.

Lee Stuart, from Kirkby, does not watch "live" TV programmes on any channel or use the BBC iPlayer, which means he does not legally require a TV licence. Instead he uses non-BBC on-demand services like Channel 4od, My5, Amazon Prime (sign up for 30 day free trial) and Netflix for all of his viewing.

Convinced of the legality of his set up Lee made the fatal mistake of inviting a TV Licensing goon into his home. This is something TV Licensing Blog discourages people from doing, for the simple reason that TV Licensing goons, as Lee's case further demonstrates, cannot be trusted.

Lee dutifully showed the goon his television, which was set up to watch on-demand programmes via a PlayStation. Seemingly satisfied with Lee's compliance with the rules the goon read back edited highlights from the paperwork he had completed during the visit.

Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Lee said: "It was official, and I agreed with what he had said, so when I was presented with the big white signature box, I just signed it, and then he left. To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a licence."

Given that Lee was later prosecuted for TV licence evasion, the form he signed must have been a TVL178 Record of Interview form, but nowhere in the article does he mention being interviewed under caution. The TVL178 should only be completed after the occupier of an unlicensed property has been cautioned.

I am sure if Lee had been cautioned he would have mentioned it, which leads to the obvious conclusion that the goon has filled in the form, thereby stitching Lee up, without even bothering to caution him - a gutter trick indeed, but one totally in keeping with TV Licensing's modus operandi.

Lee received a Single Justice Procedure Notice in the post, which he completed with a not guilty plea and elected to attend court in person.

The hearing at Sefton Magistrates' Court dismissed the allegation against Lee, citing the insufficient evidence in the case.

Lee said: "I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn’t paying for a TV licence that I didn’t need so I fought it.

"I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience."

Experience shows that TV Licensing is happy to prosecute on the basis of very sloppy (or even non-existent) evidence, because it expects most people receiving an SJP Notice to either ignore it or lack the inclination to put up a fight. If the matter does get to court, TV Licensing will often pull the prosecution at the last minute instead of risk having holes poked in its case (or having its lies exposes in open court).

A couple of concluding points:

• Anyone who does not legally need a TV licence is under no legal obligation at all to TV Licensing. They do not need to engage with TV Licensing and should not do so.
• TV Licensing goons have no automatic right of access to any property. The occupier should never allow them voluntary access, as they cannot be trusted to give an accurate account of any visit.

Further anti-BBC reading:

• Is The True Or Did You Hear It On The BBC?, by David Sedgwick (aff. link)
• The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, by Tom Mills (aff. link)

Toxic: Bullying "Rife" Behind the Scenes of BBC Breakfast

The BBC is embroiled in yet more controversy with allegations that bullying is rife behind the scenes for flagship morning news programme BBC Breakfast.

Editor Richard Frediani, known as Fredi on the studio floor, has been accused of "threatening" and "aggressive" behaviour towards staff working on the programme.

It is also believed there has been a massive falling out between the two main hosts of the show, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty.

A BBC Breakfast insider told The Sun: "To the viewer BBC Breakfast is a warm, gentle programme, one that is flourishing in the ratings. But beyond the cosy red sofa it is a very different picture. Several people - crew, production and even presenters - have been very unhappy.

"Tension between Charlie and Naga is rife. Fredi is very old-school and has some slightly tyrannical tendencies. He is very cerebral but also quite aggressive in his methods. Some people think a recent promotion has gone to his head."

Media and entertainment news site Deadline has previously alleged that Frediani was subject of at least two misconduct complaints, including one that was upheld in relation to him "physically shaking" a female newsroom colleague during a heated exchange.

Insiders have also alleged that Frediani backed a BBC Breakfast colleague against a wall and unleashed a finger-jabbing, verbal tirade expressing displeasure at the morning's show.

The BBC refused to comment on the allegations, saying that the welfare of its employees are a priority.

Further anti-BBC reading:

• Is The True Or Did You Hear It On The BBC?, by David Sedgwick (aff. link)
• The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, by Tom Mills (aff. link)

BBC TV Licensing Goon Accused of Knocking Over Disabled Woman

A BBC TV Licensing goon has been accused of knocking over a disabled woman.

Amanda White, 50, of Chorley, Lancashire, told The Sun that the as yet unnamed TV Licensing goon turned up at her home a few weeks after she cancelled her TV licence. The goon tried to hand her a letter about her unlicensed status.

She told The Sun: "He was very aggressive. I refused to accept the letter but he chucked it through my door as I was closing it.

"He then wouldn't take it back, so I tossed it outside.

"He had the cheek to push it through my letterbox, so as he got in his car I walked up to his window to give it back to him.

"I had my hand on his vehicle and he just accelerated, pulling me to the ground. He paused for a second up the road, clearly saw I was injured on the floor, and drove off. It's disgusting."

TV Licensing goons, like the shitbag featured in today's article, are employed by BBC contractor Capita Business Services. The BBC, however, as the statutory Licensing Authority, retains full legal responsibility for everything done in the name of TV Licensing.

Based on previous dealings we've had with Capita, we'd fully expect it to deny any wrongdoing on the part of its miscreant employee. That is the Capita default setting, even when the evidence against its employees is overwhelming. We are reminded of previous occasions where Capita employees have attempted to force their way into properties and assaulted members of the public.

Amanda has reported the incident to Lancashire Police, so we eagerly await further updates.

Just a quick reminder to anyone who is new to these parts: If you do not legally need a TV licence, you do not need to communicate or cooperate with TV Licensing at all.

Ignore its shitty letters; close the door on its shitty operatives; and enjoy your legally-licence-free existence without giving TV Licensing a second thought.

TV Licensing simply cannot be trusted and is best ignored entirely.

Further anti-BBC reading:

• Is The True Or Did You Hear It On The BBC?, by David Sedgwick (aff. link)
• The BBC: Myth of a Public Service, by Tom Mills (aff. link)