Grandmother who failed to pay TV license fines released from jail

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Friday, 27 July 2018 16:54

Q Radio News

An elderly woman from west Belfast who was jailed after ending up in the court system for failing to pay her TV license has now been released.

59-year-old Anne Smith from Poleglass received a custodial sentence in court for not paying the evasion fines issued by a judge.

One of Ms Smith's neighbours, Marie Flynn, told Q Radio it was deeply traumatic when Anne was taken away.

TV Licensing says it does everything it can to help people pay and only prosecute as a last resort and that the sentence is a matter for the courts.

Last night Mrs. Smith was able to attend a solidarity rally held in her name on the Falls Road.

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey said:

“I welcome the release of Anne Smith. I am glad that common sense has prevailed as she should never have been put in jail.

“Since hearing the news of her arrest, we have worked with her family and have lobbied the NIO in an attempt to secure her release.

“The family have been clearly stating that Anne has had serious health issues in recent times and that should have been taken into account before the decision to imprison her.

“There is an onus on the relevant authorities to ensure that measures are put in place to ensure that, in exceptional circumstances, compassion prevails and this never happens again.”