A HOUSEBUYER pushed open the door to his brand new home and found almost two years worth of threatening letters from TV Licensing. Dr Ron McCulloch, of Seller Street, Chester, opened more than 20 letters, many of which were identical, despite being the first person to move into the flat in the new complex. He said: 'These pen-pushing bureaucratic sadists are wasting so much effort, time and sadly resources in threatening the non-existent owner of an unsold property. 'I couldn't believe it - the apartment was vacant and there was no owner. Bear in mind I've just turned 65. Anyone in their 70s would be intimidated. It was rather hostile.' The letters, about one a month dating back to October 2005, range from 'our officers are due in this area and are planning to visit you' to 'you have previously been given opportunities to purchase a TV licence but have neglected to do so' and carry an 'official warning' of an investigation. For 16 months they continue to state that details were being passed to enforcement officers. The last, in May, warns that a full investigation will take place. Dr McCulloch, who retired to Chester this month after working in London and Dubai, said the flats were still under construction in 2005 and were only finished in mid 2006. He added he had a licence in London and immediately bought one for the Chester property and said: 'It's a criminal waste of paper. It would have been cheaper and environmentally friend-lier to send an inspector to look at all the flats.' A TV Licensing spokesman stated they were not advised property was under construction or unoccupied, and some flats in the block had licences dating back to late 2005. They added: 'TV Licensing was informed by Royal Mail the address in question had an expected occupancy date of February 24, 2005. 'Unfortunately, if a licence is required, some people will only buy one when warned of the consequences of being unlicensed. It is for this reason some of our mailings contain messages designed to deter a possible evader.' richard.fletcher@cheshirenews.co.uk | 
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