RAF man with dementia, mum in a women’s refuge – no one’s safe from bullies
FAMILIES hounded by BBC licence fee collectors last night called them ‘intimidating’.
They accused officials of snooping through windows and forcing their way into their homes.
Some said vulnerable loved ones have been left so frightened by threats of prosecution that they paid the £145.50 TV Licence fee even when it was not necessary.
Over the past month, the Mail has spoken to people across the UK who complain of being treated unfairly by licence fee officials.
They include an RAF veteran with dementia and a young mother taken to court after being hounded by a TV Licensing officer at a women’s refuge. A Methodist church was also targeted – even though there is clearly no TV inside.
HARASSED AT A WOMEN’S REFUGE
A YOUNG mum was hounded by a TV Licensing officer at a women’s refuge. Elke-Dee Watson, 27, took sanctuary there after threats by a former partner.
But six days after moving in, an enforcement officer confronted her on her doorstep.
He was let in through security gates by a neighbour who thought he must have known Miss Watson as he was calling her by name.
Miss Watson was accused of evading the licence for the six days she had lived there. There was already a TV inside, left by a previous tenant. Feeling threatened, Miss Watson agreed to sign up to a TV licence payment plan.
But despite agreeing to pay, she received a summons a few days later. At Nuneaton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, the case was thrown out.
Miss Watson, who has a six-yearold child, said: ‘The man who visited me was a big chap. That intimidated me as I wasn’t expecting anybody. I’m glad it’s over now.’ A TV Licensing spokesman said: ‘At time of visiting, we were unaware of Miss Watson’s personal circumstances.’ RAF VETERAN WITH DEMENTIA A FORMER RAF officer with dementia who forgot to renew his licence was told by a Capita official that he did not have time to ‘listen to excuses’.
The Kosovo war veteran, 46, who asked not to be named, had paid the bill on a rolling direct debit for the last 12 years. But in October, he forgot to check if the money was taken from his account.
A ‘ thuggish’ licensing officer forced his way into his home and refused to take his health problems into account. The case was only dropped on Tuesday when a doctor wrote to Nuneaton magistrates. The man has a terminal brain tumour, spinal tumours and early onset dementia. He said: ‘I’d only opened the door a couple of inches but before he even introduced him- self, he stuck his foot in the door. He offered to pay then, but was told the only option was to go to court. A TV Licensing spokesman said: ‘We withdrew the case once further information came to light.’ CHURCH HOUNDED FOR PAYMENTS A CHURCH in Nottinghamshire has been hounded for payments by TV Licensing. East Leake Methodist Church has received about four letters per year, threatening fines of up to £1,000 for fee evasion.
Each time, treasurer Roger Latham has replied saying there are no TVs in the building.
Mr Latham, 66, wrote in one letter: ‘Only God lives here and he knows everything, so doesn’t need to watch the television.’
Mr Latham, former chief executive of Nottinghamshire County Council, said the letters began arriving in 2009. He said: ‘I sent all the letters back saying: “This is a church”. They only stopped when Mr Latham told TV Licensing he feared the church’s address was being used by others trying to evade the fee. He added: ‘People who don’t need the licence are treated like those who are being fraudulent. A spokesman for TV Licensing said: ‘We updated our database last May to ensure mailings to the Church stopped.’ FINED £220 FOR WATCHING ONE SHOW FASHION worker Leanne Dutton phoned TV Licensing last year to tell officials she had watched one episode of Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks without a licence.
The young mum was worried she might have broken the law, but was allegedly assured she did not have to pay as it was a one-off.
Six days later, Miss Dutton, 25, was visited by an enforcement officer. She has since been fined and has a criminal record.
Miss Dutton, of Hyde, Greater Manchester, who has a six-year-old son Ellis, cancelled her licence and stopped watching terrestrial TV to save money. But last August, she reconnected the set to watch Hollyoaks. Days later, a Capita official arrived at her home. Miss Dutton said: ‘He really banged on the door. I initially thought it must be the police because it was so forceful.’
She was found guilty on Thursday of using the set without a licence, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £130 in prosecution costs and a £30 victim surcharge.