TV licence summons :(

[paulamcb]

In october 2014 i had a visit from Capita saying i had no tv licence, payments had bounced etc

so he went through a form with me and i had to sign this detailing what tv etc i had.

 

He took my bank details and we set up a new direct debit quarterley. 2 payments have already gone out.

However this months has bounced but i hope to rectify that soon.

 

Yesterday i receive a summons stating i had nn licence when the officer visited in october and i have to go to court.

 

So confsued as to what i owe, why i owe it and what i do not??!!

[renegadeimp]

You shouldn't have spoke to them. You probably signed one of their forms admitting you don't have a licence.

 

Remember the person who comes to your door is nothing more than a commission based doorstep collector

[paulamcb]

Yes...however it's a little late for this now! Will the summons be because i have defaulted on this months payment? It really makes no sense! Not sure what they want me to do?!

[stuggling]

I had this a few years bacl, I had telephoned them 1st to sort and this was the arrangement they set up, that if paid the full years liecence before summons date, then they would withdraw the summons, I did pay in full before and they did withdraw summons.

 

Call the TV lience people and see if you can do same.

[renegadeimp]

The summons will be because you signed their form saying you watched TV but had no licence. If you muss a payment they give you a chance to make up for it. Remember, the doorstepper is greedy and wants their commission. That's why you got the summons. All you can do is show the court you missed as payment, made it up fast and had a licence but the goon squad issued a summons regardless.

[paulamcb]

So if i pay the £37.62 that i owe from last month in the next few days do you think it will be ok? How do i reply to the summons?

[renegadeimp]

Post the summons up minus any personal info

[paulamcb]

Can't upload images directt....it basically says that:

TVL says you comitted the offences shown.

The court will hear the case

on 17.3.15 at 11am at xxxx court

Warning : If you do not reply to this summons nor attend the hearing the court may find you guilty in your absence and can sentence you.

Offences :

On 29.10.14 used a colour tv received without licence.

Costs:

If you are convicted of this offence an application will be made for costs of no less than £120

 

Then i can either plead guilty in court, by post or not guilty.

[renegadeimp]

Well, sounds like you need to plead your case to the courts.

[paulamcb]

So can i plead not guilty via post and just write all the details in there, whats the outcome likely to be in any case, the £120 fine? Really confused by it all to be honest!

[renegadeimp]

I'd actually take evidence to the court on the date as well. You said you aren't guilty so you need to prove it. Otherwise TV licensing could argue against you and you'd end up with a fine.

[paulamcb]

But i obviously didnt have a licence that day hence them setting up new DD....so not sure if i should be pleading guilty and wether this summons is just because i missed last months payment, it would help if they were a little clearer, no wonder people get stressed out with them!

[renegadeimp]

How many payments did you miss? Did you have any reminders? were you aware that you didnt have a licence? If so, why didnt you contact them to get one? You plead guilty, and thats up to you. But youll face a fine for it and it will go on your criminal record (butyou wont have to declare it for most purposes.

[paulamcb]

Since he visited we have paid 2 payments and missed 1. Before that we were struggling financially and had a payment card but got behind.

[renegadeimp]

How many did you miss before he came?

[paulamcb]

No idea, this was 4 months ago, i thought it was sorted now! Assume my last missed payment has triggered the summons! :/

[renegadeimp]

Nope. You signing the form triggered the summons. The muppets who come to your door are told to do whatever they can to get you sign the form, including lying and saying its to set up a payment. Once its signed, the doorstepper is in a hurry to leave because youve just given him his commission and tv licencing their fine money. The doorstepper then goes to his next victim. The more people he can get to sign in a day, the more commission they get.

[paulamcb]

And they left it 4 months to send me the summons?!

[Bazooka Boo]

OK, did you have a TVL on the date it states on the summons?

 

If not, and you signed your admission of guilt, then IMOI would attend court, make a plea of mitigating circumstances, and that you have now set up a direct debit in order to become legal, again you will be at the mercy of the DJ lottery on the day, usually depending where you are in the country, there may be someone there who can give you advice, and I don't mean any two bit 'duty solicitor' either, these will be individuals who know the unscrupulous tactics of the BBC and their capita friends.

 

If you DON'T watch live TV, then you DON'T need a TVL.

[paulamcb]

We had a licence but missed several payments so they cancel it i guess and you start again....that day the man set up a new direct debit for us and we have a licence from that day most definitely

[renegadeimp]

The problem you had was you signed the form believing it was a DD form, when infact it was an admission you didnt have a tv licence. As BB said, you need to go to court and hope you win the DJ lottery.

[paulamcb]

So it's a matter of a fine or not a fine depending on if i win or not???? Grrrrrrrr how much £120?

[renegadeimp]

Can be anything from £100-£1000 not including legal costs, depending on the circumstances.

[paulamcb]

Is that or is that not a bit crazy considering defaulting on any payments means i clearly have no money so how would i afford a fine!!!

I have emailed the court and the debt people and citizens advice to rant at them! Unnaceptable to send me a summons 4 months after a visit

[renegadeimp]

Welcome to just opne of the reasons that people dont pay the tax and highlight various ways ( legal ways) where you dont have to pay it.