A PUB landlord caught without a TV licence has been ordered to pay £370 by magistrates.

Andrew Roberts, the landlord of the Stone House Inn in Bryn Road, Cefn Fforest, Blackwood, was fined £220 in his absence for the offence of using a TV without a licence on the business premises.

He was also ordered to pay £120 costs and a £30 victim surcharge following the case on Monday July 24 at Gwent Magistrates’ Court.

Richard Chapman, TV Licensing spokesperson for Wales and 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.

“We’d rather businesses think ahead and check if they need a licence than risk being prosecuted.

“A licence costs £147 and can be bought in minutes online at tvlicensing.co.uk/businessinfo”

He also said in 2015/2016, enquiry officers visited more than 36,000 UK businesses.