IN just three years, 97-year-old Gretta Brandler can expect congratulations from the Queen – but for now she has to settle for TV Licensing letters threatening to haul her before the courts.
Mrs Brandler, of Hutton Road, said the "pencil-pushing bullies" had just sent her the sixth such letter in a year – demanding payment of a bill which does not exist.
The latest letter was addressed to her husband Hans, who died two years ago aged 93, and referenced an "unpaid" TV licence for the couple's physiotherapy business – from which Gretta retired two decades ago.
Mrs Brandler told the Gazette she was "angry, irritated and confused" after opening the latest correspondence.
She said: "People of 90 are entitled to feel harrowed and made anxious by a letter like this.
"If you're of a nervous disposition this could really shake you up.
"Most people of my age would be intimidated by this letter but after the initial shock I'm just irritated by these inefficient, moronic, pencil-pushing bullies."
She added: "I'm going to fall about laughing if they put me in prison or try to fine me £1,000.
"I wasn't quite sure what to do.
"I wrote to them with the date Hans died scribed in big letters.
"I've tried ringing them but I was on hold for 45 minutes trying to get through.
"The left hand doesn't seem to know what the right hand is doing.
"It's absolutely incredible inefficiency, but unfortunately this is how things are done now.
"No one takes responsibility; they just churn out these letters."
Her son John, 58, said the letters and "threats" had to stop.
"Surely they must have some other way of balancing the books?" he asked.
"I'd think probably one out of 100 ladies who receive this sort of letter fights back.
"She rang me in a panic. I rang them and got some soppy response saying tough luck.
"My mother hasn't worked for eight or ten years and my father stopped working around ten years ago.
"Threatening her with the courts – it's ridiculous."
The maximum penalty for non-payment of a TV Licence is a £1,000 fine.
TV Licensing was approached for a comment but had not responded as the Brentwood Gazette went to press.
