By Saul Cooke-Black

A PENSIONER has been left outraged after repeatedly receiving threatening letters for not paying her television licence fee.

Kate Langdon-Mead, 81, from New Radnor, near Kington, qualifies for a free ‘over-75 licence’, but, for the second time in three years, received the correspondence.

She said: “The letters were horrible. It’s caused me a lot of worry and stress.

“What I’m really worried about is that people who are infirm are receiving these letters.

“It really makes you feel on edge. I know other people who wouldn’t be able to cope with this.”

One of the letters said that: “An [TV licensing)] officer has been scheduled to visit to find out if TV is being watched or recorded illegally.

“The officer may visit your property any day of the week, morning or evening.”

Mrs Langdon-Mead said she was astounded to have got the letters for a second time.

“The first time it happened, I received a bunch of flowers and an apology.

But for it to have happened again, it’s an outrage and something ought to be done about it.

“It’s just unbelievable. I simply can’t believe it’s happened again.”

A spokesman for TV Licensing said: “Having looked into Mrs Langdon Mead’s enquiry, we have found she already has a free over-75 licence in place.

“There was, however, a duplicate address on our database, which means she was receiving letters intended for unlicensed addresses.

“We’ve now deleted this duplicate address from our system, and have written to Mrs Langdon-Mead to apologise for any inconvenience these letters may have caused.”

Mrs Langdon-Mead said the apology was not enough and is considering legal action.

She added: “When I looked on the internet I found there have been a lot of cases like mine.

“TV Licensing have actually been fined over £100,000 over the last five years for cases of harassment.

“I contacted a solicitor this morning. They need pulling to heel.”

She labelled TV Licensing ‘totally incompetent’ and hoped they would take more care in the future.

Anyone over 75 is eligible for a free licence, which is renewed every three years