A WOMAN accused of not paying her TV licence almost three years ago has had the fine wiped off because she knew nothing about it.

Rachel Cousins, 41, of Tintagel Close, Toothill, came before magistrates sitting in Swindon on Monday where chairman of the bench Nigel Spinney said he would cancel the £530 outstanding debt.

“This is nearly three years old and should have been pursued much sooner,” he told Cousins.

“You knew nothing about it before you came to court. We are going to remit the whole amount.”

Purton resident Jeremy Read also came before the court for not paying a TV licence fine. The 44-year-old, of Willis Way, has paid £15 towards the outstanding £300 since January.

But he told bench chairman Mr Spinney he would be able to pay £200 that day and had not previously paid it due to being in and out of hospital and struggling to afford it on his wages.

Mr Spinney said he would let Read off the remaining £85.