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TV licence fee excuses revealed | TV licence fee excuses revealed |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A homeowner said they did not think they had to pay their TV licence fee because they claimed their pet was related to one of the Queen's dogs. | A homeowner said they did not think they had to pay their TV licence fee because they claimed their pet was related to one of the Queen's dogs. |
Other excuses given to officials by evaders last year included watching a stolen TV set, TV Licensing said. | Other excuses given to officials by evaders last year included watching a stolen TV set, TV Licensing said. |
More than 400,000 people were caught watching TV without a licence in 2012. | More than 400,000 people were caught watching TV without a licence in 2012. |
UK residents are legally required to have a licence if they watch or record TV at the same time as it is broadcast or could face a fine of up to £1,000. | UK residents are legally required to have a licence if they watch or record TV at the same time as it is broadcast or could face a fine of up to £1,000. |
A colour TV licence costs £145.50 while a black-and-white licence costs £49. | A colour TV licence costs £145.50 while a black-and-white licence costs £49. |
In January, TV Licensing revealed that more than 13,000 households across the UK were still using black-and-white television sets. | |
Criminal offence | Criminal offence |
Excuses for non-payment given last year included: | Excuses for non-payment given last year included: |
TV Licensing spokesman Stephen Farmer said: "Some of the excuses are simply hilarious whilst others show a great deal of imagination and creativity but being caught without a valid TV licence is a criminal offence and no laughing matter. | TV Licensing spokesman Stephen Farmer said: "Some of the excuses are simply hilarious whilst others show a great deal of imagination and creativity but being caught without a valid TV licence is a criminal offence and no laughing matter. |
"Joking and wacky excuses apart, it's breaking the law to watch live television without a licence so anybody doing this risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000." | "Joking and wacky excuses apart, it's breaking the law to watch live television without a licence so anybody doing this risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000." |
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