A pub landlord must pay a total of £560 after being caught without a TV licence.

John Shakespeare, manager of The Monument on St Dunstans Street, was fined £400 for the offence at a hearing at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court.

Shakespeare was also ordered to pay £120 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

The Monument, located opposite historic St Dunstans Church, is tied in to Faversham-based brewery Shepherd Neame.

According to the brewer’s website, “football and rugby matches are a main focus on Sky Sports at The Monument where all major live sporting events are shown”.

TV licences are a mandatory fee of £145.50 charged for viewing live television programmes.

Any business screening television broadcasts as they are shown – whether for customers’ use or in staff areas – must have a valid licence.

Similarly, TVs used in living accommodation above the pub will also incur a licence fee.

Martin Dyan, a TV Licensing spokesperson for 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.

“As our survey shows, those businesses who do try to get away with it might find the price of being caught to be higher than just a fine.

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