A pub owner in Pucklechurch has been fined £296 after being caught without a TV licence.

Mark Trott, owner of the Fleur de Lys pub on Shortwood Road, was ordered to pay £146 for the offence of using a TV without a licence on the business premises.

He was also fined £120 costs and £30 victim surcharge following a magistrate’s review of the case on Wednesday, February 22 at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court.

The current law states that any business broadcasting live television, whether for customers’ use or in staff areas, must be covered by a valid TV licence.

Pubs that have separate living accommodation on the premises where a TV is also in use must be covered by a separate additional licence.

Richard Chapman, TV Licensing spokesperson for the South West, 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.

“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 study of over 250 managers at UK businesses, conducted with the British Chambers of Commerce on behalf of TV Licensing, revealed that 14 per cent of businesses would consider not paying for a TV licence in order to make cutbacks.

Individuals and businesses who watch live television are breaking the law and run the risk of being prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 per offence. 

A business TV licence costs £145.50 and can be bought in online.