No TV licence costs pub landlord £750

Christopher Toothill, landlord of the Sun Inn in Burnley Road, Briercliffe, was fined £500 for using a TV without a licence in the pub.

He was also ordered to pay £200 costs and a £50 victim surcharge at the Burnley Magistrates’ Court hearing.

Matthew Thompson, TV Licensing spokesperson for the North, said: “We appreciate these are tough times for businesses, but to be fair to the majority who do pay the licence fee, we have to take action against those who watch TV illegally. As our survey shows, those businesses who do try to get away with it might find the price of being caught to be higher than just a fine.

“We’d rather businesses think ahead and check if they need a licence than risk being prosecuted. A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in minutes online at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo.”