Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Tories ‘can’t hide behind BBC’ on axing of free TV licences
MINISTERS will today be asked to explain why they broke a pledge to protect free TV licences for over-75s.
Backbenchers will lead a parliamentary debate on axing the licence fee altogether – and Labour MPS are expected to want answers over broken promises.
Shadow Media Minister Chris
Matheson said: “They can’t keep hiding behind the BBC. The Tories removed the free TV licences for pensioners and they should take responsibility for it.
“Better still, they should restore the licences and stop punishing pensioners.”
Only over-75s who receive Pension Credit are now eligible – meaning an estimated 3.7 million have to pay £157.50 a year, due to rise to £159 on April 1.
A WOMAN who hosted a birthday party in a marquee in her garden has been fined £1,500 for breaking lockdown rules.
Monique Davis invited a crowd to celebrate her 45th on November 15.
When police investigated a noise complaint, Davis swore and slammed the door in their faces.
Jennifer Gatland, prosecuting, told City of London magistrates: “Police witnessed 12 people running away from the property, some getting into cars and taxis, and others jumping over fences.”
Davis, of Leytonstone, East London, admitted the offence and was ordered to pay £1,546 by March 26.
Magistrate Andrew Hammond said Davis had shown “wilful disregard” of the lockdown rules.
A FORMER nurse who conned his dementiastricken mother out of nearly £50,000 has been spared immediate custody.
Gary Evans, 57, convinced his mother Eileen to grant him power of attorney in 2016.
But the NHS business consultant defrauded her of £47,800 to pay gambling debts, a court heard.
The fraud was exposed during a dispute over the cost of care for Mrs Evans, who has since died.
Prosecutor Timothy Devlin said Evans owned up by saying: “I’ve done something terrible. I want to kill myself. I have a gambling addiction.”
Evans, of Tonbridge, Kent, got a suspended 16-month term at Maidstone crown court and 200 hours of unpaid work.
SOME 47 activists were charged with subversion in Hong Kong yesterday and are due in court today.
It is the largest use yet of the controversial law brought in by the Chinese government last year criminalising “subversive” acts.
The 47, who were among a group of 55 held in dawn raids last month, included Sam Cheung, who took part in an unofficial primary election last year.
He said: “I hope everyone won’t give up on Hong Kong and fight on.”