Man thought he'd beaten the TV licence system - then a letter turned up
Lee Stewart cancelled because he did not watch any live television but after a conversation with a TV Licence inspection officer Lee was shocked to find he was facing a hefty fine
A man is celebrating after a court case about his TV licence was thrown out by magistrates.
Lee Stewart decided to cancel his TV licence because he did not watch any live television. However after a conversation with a TV Licence inspection officer, where he explained that he did not watch live telly, Lee was shocked to find a letter saying he was in breach of licence requirements and was facing a hefty fine.
A license is needed to watch or record live TV, including live programmes streamed fro sites like ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video. You also need a license to watch BBC iPlayer.
Mr Stuart was visited by a TV Licensing inspection officer in September last year. He said he saw the visit as an opportunity to explain his viewing habits in person.
He said: 'I told him I didn't pay for a TV licence because I didn't think I needed one because I don't watch live TV."
'I don't even have an aerial installed in my TV, and I invited him to do his checks. He was a bit apprehensive, but he looked at everything and asked me what I used the TV for.
"So I told him I just watch Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation, and he asked me if I used BBC iPlayer and I said, 'no'.'
Mr Stuart said the officer confirmed he was not in breach of licensing requirements following the inspection, the Liverpool Echo reports. Mr Stuart, from Kirkby, described how the officer documented their conversation and read back the main points, including that no live TV was being watched and no BBC iPlayer account was used.
He added: 'It was official, and I agreed with what he had said, so when I was presented with the big white signature box, I just signed it, and then he left. To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a licence.'
However, in January this year, Mr Stuart received a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), which covers those who are alleged to have watched TV without a licence.
Lee explained: 'It said if I pleaded not guilty, the fine would be larger and I may have to pay court costs. So I'm not sure what's going on at this point.
'I looked through it all, and at the back was the inspector's statement. Straight away I clocked the question, 'May I come in to inspect the TV receiver?' and it said 'no' in the answer box, so that was wrong because I did.
'The next point was saying I admitted to watching the news last week. So I've refused him entry and then admitted on the step I watched live news last week? It didn't make any sense.'
Mr Stuart chose to contest the notice and represented himself at Sefton Magistrates Court.
He said: 'I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn't paying for a TV licence that I didn't need so I fought it.'
"I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience.'
The court dismissed the case due to insufficient evidence. A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted.'
The spokesperson added that while both the officer and Mr Stuart gave credible in-person testimony, the magistrates could not find the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr Stuart, initially pleased with the outcome, later received a further letter from TV Licensing advising of the licence requirement. He has since submitted a formal complaint and a No Licence Needed (NLN) declaration.
He added: 'The form asks at the end, 'What outcome do you want from this?' and I just put 'All I want is to be left alone, but an apology wouldn't go amiss'.'
TV Licensing confirmed it has now received Mr Stuart's NLN declaration.
A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'If a property we believe should be licensed is unlicensed, letters are sent to that address advising of the requirement for a TV Licence if the occupant watches live TV or other licensable content. This stops for one year when the occupant declares they don't need a licence, when letters will resume to check if circumstances have changed.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Households that can save £174 a year by cancelling TV licence
Getting a No Licence Needed declaration could put an end to TV Licensing letters and visits TV Licence rules can be confusing, but some people may be paying £174.50 for no reason, while others could be risking £1,000 by skipping the fee illegally. This largely depends on what type of TV you watch or record, and if you don't meet the requirements for a TV Licence, filling out one simple form can keep the agency at bay. If you watch any of the following, you'll need to have a TV licence according to the TV Licensing authority: All live TV channels such as BBC, ITV and international channels Paid live TV services like Sky and Virgin Media Live streaming on services like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix BBC iPlayer This also includes watching, recording or downloading any of the above on any device. However, if you aren't watching any type of live TV or using BBC iPlayer, there may be a change that you don't need a TV licence. For example, if you're only watching DVDs, on-demand services like ITVX and All 4 or streaming sites like Netflix and Disney+, then you won't need a licence according to the Daily Record. Lee Stuart fell into this group as he exclusively watched online streaming services. The Kirkby resident initially had a TV licence registered on his home, but stopped watching broadcast TV and subsequently cancelled his licence. He then received a Single Justice Procedure Notice in January alleging that he was watching live TV without a valid licence. When a case gets to this point, the penalty can go up to £1,000 plus legal costs if you are prosecuted. But Stuart defended himself in court, and the case was ultimately dismissed by the judge due to a lack of proof. After the verdict was revealed, a TV Licensing representative said: "This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted." Stuart thought his troubles were over, but he soon received a remined from the agency about potentially needing a licence. In response, he filed an official grievance and filled out a No Licence Needed declaration. TV Licensing has confirmed they have received Mr Stuart's NLN form. This declaration form can be done online and asks you to describe your viewing habits to check you really don't need a licence. TV Licensing notes: "If you tell us you don't need a licence we may visit you to check. "If we then find that you have been watching, recording or streaming programmes illegally, you risk prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000 plus any legal costs and compensation you may be ordered to pay." A TV licensing spokesperson explained that declaring you don't need a licence will stop letters being sent to your address advising and reminding you about getting a TV licence. This will only last for one year though and letters will resume just in case your circumstances have changed.
Metro
2 days ago
- Metro
'I beat the system and proved I didn't need a TV licence'
A man who thought he 'beat the system' by getting his TV licence cancelled after proving he only watches streaming services still ended up being threatened with a criminal conviction. Lee Stuart applied for one when he moved into a new home in Kirkby, Merseyside, but later decided to scrap it because he preferred bingeing Netflix and Amazon Prime. He was visited by an inspection officer last September and says they agreed he did not watch any live TV or use the BBC iPlayer. But in January this year, a letter came through saying he was being prosecuted under the controversial single justice procedure (SJP). The SJP was set up in 2015 to allow magistrates to decide on minor offences, such as using a television without a licence or driving without car insurance, without defendants going to court. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Around 25,000 people were convicted of not paying their TV licence in the year ending June 2024, the Standard reports. There have been calls to reform the system after it was revealed sick pensioners, people with mental health problems and bereaved families were being given criminal convictions for failing to pay. Lee said of his inspection: 'I told him I didn't pay for a TV licence because I didn't think I needed one because I don't watch live TV. I don't even have an aerial installed in my TV.' He said he 'just watches Netflix and Amazon Prime through the PlayStation', which the inspector agreed. 'To be honest, I was really made up with myself, thinking I'd beaten the system and proved I didn't need a licence,' he added. But that relief was wiped out when the SJP notice came through the letter box in January. Speaking to the Echo, he said: 'It said if I pleaded not guilty, the fine would be larger, and I may have to pay court costs. So, I'm not sure what's going on at this point.' He said the inspector's statement was included in the paperwork but the question 'May I come in to inspect the TV receiver?' was marked 'No'. It also stated he had admitted to watching the news days earlier. More Trending Lee decided to contest the case in court – despite warnings he faced a large fine as well as prosecution costs – and ended up proving his case a second time. 'I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent, and I wasn't paying for a TV licence that I didn't need so I fought it,' he said. Magistrates threw out the case due to insufficient evidence. A TV Licensing spokesperson said: 'This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted.' A TV licence covers you for: All TV channels – like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels – like BBC, ITV, Channel 4, U&Dave and international channels Pay TV services – like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV – like Sky, Virgin Media and EE TV Live TV on streaming services – like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video – like YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video Everything on BBC iPlayer This includes watching, recording and downloading. On any device. The full list of rules can be found here. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: BBC star Naga Munchetty facing bullying allegations and inappropriate 'sex jibe' claims MORE: Netflix's rudely axed Mindhunter could be returning with a twist MORE: More schedule changes confirmed as EastEnders is pulled from BBC One
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Wales Online
BBC TV licence rules and what you must not do after man taken to court
BBC TV licence rules and what you must not do after man taken to court The rules surrounding TV licensing can be confusing, but this is what you need to know about watching TV legally (Image: PA ) The ins and outs of TV licence laws can certainly be confusing. The BBC relies on the annual £174.50 charge to fund its television, radio, and online services, with payment options being a one-off sum or manageable direct debit instalments. Your watching habits are the deciding factor for whether a TV licence is necessary. Watching or recording live TV on any device, or accessing the content of BBC iPlayer, means you must pay the fee but if you're only using non-live catch-up or streaming services, you don't have to pay. The TV Licence's official website spells it out: "Your TV Licence lets you enjoy a huge range of TV. It covers you for. This includes watching, recording and downloading. On any device." As summed up by the Liverpool Echo, possessing a TV licence is essential for viewing or recording live broadcasts, regardless of the device used, as well as for catching up on any BBC iPlayer content, live or otherwise. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here If, on the other hand, your watchlist is limited to catch-up platforms like ITVX and All4, or streaming giants such as Netflix, Disney+, or Amazon Prime Video, then no licence is required, reports the Daily Record. Also exempt from the licence mandate are avid gamers and those who exclusively watch DVDs or Blu-rays. This clarification coincides with a report where a man was fortunate enough to have his TV licensing court case dismissed at Sefton Magistrates' Court. Article continues below Lee Stuart from Kirby initially purchased a TV licence when setting up his home but later chose to cancel it, as traditional television didn't appeal to him, opting instead for online streaming services exclusively. A TV Licensing spokesperson clarified: "If a property we believe should be licensed is unlicensed, letters are sent to that address advising of the requirement for a TV Licence if the occupant watches live TV or other licensable content. This stops for one year when the occupant declares they don't need a licence, when letters will resume to check if circumstances have changed." However, Lee was left confused in January this year when he received a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN), accusing him of watching television without a valid licence. Lee held his ground in court, challenging the accusation: "I can see why people just accept it, but I knew I was innocent and I wasn't paying for a TV licence that I didn't need so I fought it." "I'll be totally honest, I was surprised by the outcome and I thought it might be good to share my experience." Lee's courtroom appearance ended with an acquittal due to insufficient evidence. Post-trial, a TV Licensing official commented: "This was reviewed by TV Licensing following the court hearing in April 2025 as is standard practice, and no failings were highlighted." The spokesperson noted that though both the officer and Mr Stuart gave what seemed like credible evidence in court, the magistrates were not persuaded beyond reasonable doubt of the case's certainty. Mr Stuart was initially heartened by the outcome but became disgruntled after receiving another nudge from TV Licensing regarding the need for a licence. Subsequently, he lodged a formal complaint and submitted a No Licence Needed (NLN) declaration. Article continues below He commented: "The form asks at the end, 'What outcome do you want from this?' and I just put 'All I want is to be left alone, but an apology wouldn't go amiss." TV Licensing has confirmed they have received Mr Stuart's NLN form.
