Fines for having no TV licence wiped off
AN ASHINGTON woman who had more than £300 worth of television licence fines has been told by magistrates she does not have to pay them.
Linda Wandless appeared at South East Northumberland Law Courts and explained to the court that she couldn't afford to pay the fines but was willing to pay some of the money owed.
The 46-year-old, from Milburn Road, was subject to two fines.
One was for 165, which was dated as far back as February 2006, and another for 205 was from September 2006.
In court Wandless, who receives benefits, told the magistrates that she did not know about the fines because correspondence had been sent to a former address.
She said: "I did not know about the money, me and my husband separated and lost our home and had to live with a daughter's friend.
"Someone just arrived on my doorstep while I was having my morning coffee and told me about them.
"I want to pay them, but can't pay them all, I am willing to pay something."
But the magistrates told her that under the circumstances she didn't have to pay.
She was told by the bench: "We have looked at the circumstances, and because your circumstances have changed what we will do, and it is unusual, we will remit the fines so you don't have to pay, on the condition you maintain a current television licence."
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Thursday 17 May 2012
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