Now we MUST decriminalise TV Licence fee

DURING my 20 years on the Huddersfield magistrates’ bench in West Yorkshire, many different crimes were brought before us.

But not all offences are deliberate. Some are unfortunate and committed inadvertently.

The majority of TV licence offenders were confused, bewildered and in some cases, elderly or disabled. Most of them had never been before a court before, generally leading blameless lives.

We would be handed means test forms for defendants, which detailed their incomes. For many, it was already a balancing act to keep their families going.

But now a court order was going to slice their meagre incomes even thinner. I always found these cases particularly harsh. For some, the television is their only form of entertainment.

Yes, they can defend themselves in court. However, this is becoming more difficult as local courthouses continue to be axed across the country.

Not everyone can attend if their cases are assigned to courts miles away from where they live. But I fear these cases will only increase in the months and years to come.

Over-75s are now fair game and could face prosecution for not having a licence.

On top of this, the cost-of-living crisis will add to the backlog of cases — as families who are already struggling are pushed to their limits.

The solution? Decriminalise the TV licence fee. It will go some way to help households during these tough times.