A TAKEAWAY owner has been fined £400 for using a TV without a licence inside the premises.
Ali Pektez, owner of the Kebab Centre in Portland Road, South Norwood, was also ordered to pay £200 court costs and a £40 victim surcharge, at Croydon Magistrates' Court today.
A spokesman for TV Licensing said: "Any business that shows television programmes as they're being shown on TV, whether for customers' use or in staff areas, must be covered by a valid TV Licence.
"If there is living accommodation on the premises where a TV is also in use, this must be covered by a separate licence."
Those without a valid licence risk court prosecution and fine of up to £1,000 per offence, plus costs.
Martin Dyan, TV Licensing spokesperson for London and the South East, 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."
In 2013, TV Licensing officers visited more than 33,000 businesses across the UK to check their licences.
A licence costs £145.50 and can be bought at www.tvlicensing.co.uk.
