TWO champion beat-boxers have become the first people to be prosecuted for performing on Camden’s streets without paying for a licence. Housemates Fredy Garcia, 24, and Alex Hackett, 23 – known by their stage names Fredy Beats and ABH Beatbox – were fined £220 at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to busking without a licence near Camden Town underground station. Under the borough’s controversial new rules, the Town Hall had been pushing for a £1,000 fine, plus £675 in prosecution costs. Mr Hackett, a two-time UK Beatbox Tag Team champion, said he would have to work hard to find the cash but said the reduced fine was an “epic win”. He feared others might not be so lucky, adding: “I’m worried someone else is going to have to pay the full fine. It’s going to hurt the scene and damage someone’s life.” The council pushed the rules through in 2014 after defeating a High Court challenge from busking campaigners. It costs £47 for a busking licence. The fee is not refunded if the application is rejected. Ironically, it was the “buzz” of Camden Town’s famous music culture that led the buskers to an area which is now controlled by the licence system. Mr Hackett, from New Cross, said Camden had inspired him to follow a music career but when the licence came in there was “no point” in beatboxers applying because of the 5 watt limit on amplifiers. “That’s the power of a lightbulb,” he said. “We need the extra wattage for clarity but it had nothing whatsoever to do with noise. I couldn’t afford to lose £47 on a wasted application so I stopped busking in Camden.” However, Mr Hackett was drawn back, he says, on occasions when he was late on the rent and at risk of becoming homeless. He came to busk for the day as he knew it was the only place he could earn money quickly. “I got seen by two residents and, instead of coming to speak to me and asking me to move along which I would have done, they called the police and came down to take pictures of me,” he said. “The shops are blaring music out but we’re banned.” Johnny Walker, a musician and the founding director of Keep Streets Live, campaigned against the rules in 2014. He said the fine, although lower than it might have been because of the magistrates’ sympathy, is still substantial and debilitating. Councillor Jonathan Simpson said: “There is no excuse for buskers not to apply for a licence. A standard licence costs £19, a licence for amplified music costs £47 and can be applied for easily online. “Those failing to comply should be clear that action will follow and we have shown that we continue to protect local communities from nuisance and ensure those performing in Camden continue to follow the rules.”