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Three local women have each been fined £250 by Guernsey's Magistrate's Court for using their televisions without a licence.
Michelle Farrow, 46, Kirsty Carre, 28, and Stevie Tardif, 25, all pleaded guilty to their convictions, which were not linked.
The women were all caught separately in October last year, when a visiting TV Licensing Officer carried out checks at their homes.
"Having a TV licence is a legal requirement if you watch or record programmes as they're being shown on TV or live on an online TV service, download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer," a BBC spokesperson explained. "This applies to any provider you use and any device, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder."
Pictured: Households in Guernsey have to pay a TV licence each year.
A standard colour TV licence costs £145.50 per year, which can be paid annually or monthly.
Although, previously, the BBC had been offering free licences for those over 75, the initiative has now ended and pensioners can no longer apply.
"The TV licence fee income means all licence payers can enjoy a wide choice of BBC shows and services," the spokesperson continued. "The range of platforms available include nine pan-UK television services, ten pan-UK radio networks, two national radio services each in Scotland, Wales and Norther Ireland, 40 local radio stations (including BBC Radio Guernsey), as well as online services including BBC News Sport, CBBC, iPlayer, BBC Sounds amongst many others.
Pictured: The three defendants all appeared separately before Guernsey's Magistrate's Court.
"The licence fee allows the BBC's UK services to remain ad-free and independent. Each week, 91% of UK adults use BBC televisions radio or online."
Guernsey people over 65 on Income Support are currently entitled to a free TV licence through Social Security.
Each of the convicted women will have to pay their fines as soon as possible, or face 12 days in prison.
Pictured top: File image.
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