Anne Smith with her family after getting released from Hydebank after being jailed for non-payment of TV licence fines. Picture by Matt Bohill

ANNE Smith had "a wee cry" during the two nights she spent in jail over the non-payment of TV licence fines, she admitted as she stepped out of a forbidding brown prison door and into freedom last night.

"Just a wee one," the chronically-ill west Belfast woman said as she made her way painfully to her daughter Caitlin O'Neill's waiting car.

"It was the kids I was upset about more than anything. I have 11 grandchildren and the wee ones just don't know what's happening."

The release of the 59 year-old mother-of-four, who has serious mobility issues and is awaiting a double-hip replacement as well as suffering from debilitating lung condition COPD, came amid mounting criticism of the harsh penalty.

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Despite appeals and an offer to pay off the fines - which totalled £1,162 - Ms Smith, from Poleglass, was ordered to serve her sentence at Hydebank prison.

She said she was told the fines could not be paid as a bench warrant had already been issued for her arrest.

Anne Smith getting released from Hydebank after being jailed for non-payment of TV licence fines. Picture by Matt Bohill

Ms Smyth was handcuffed after presenting herself to police on Wednesday and taken to prison.

Her first night in the jail had been traumatic, with her arrival at 7pm seeing her go straight into its lockdown schedule, bolted into her cell, alone, until the morning.

"A wee girl shouted down 'Are you Anne? Don't panic, I'll show you what to do in the morning.'

"There was another wee girl who also helped me, gave me a cup of coffee. You have to buy everything yourself there, even cereal for breakfast. You're allowed toast and that's it.

"Without their help... you're just left. No one tells you anything."

Anne Smith with her family after getting released from Hydebank after being jailed for non-payment of TV licence fines. Picture by Matt Bohill

She had expected to get out of Hydebank prison on Monday, only to be told that she would not be released until Wednesday, news which left the 59-year-old desolate.

"It broke my heart," Ms Smith said simply.

However, a mystery benefactor, moved by her plight paid the £611 (following time served) needed to discharge her debt.

"I want to say thank you and I'll pay it back," she said.

A rally for her release at the `International Wall' turned into a celebratory homecoming.

59 year old Anne Smith (left) from Poleglass who is handing herself in to police to be taken to Hydebank prison for non payment of Tv license pictured with her friend and neighbour Marie Flynn Picture Mal McCann.

Sinn Féin MP Paul Maskey welcomed her release, saying "common sense has prevailed".

"She should never have been put in jail," he said.

"The family have been clearly stating that Anne has had serious health issues in recent times and that should have been taken into account before the decision to imprison her.

"There is an onus on the relevant authorities to ensure that measures are put in place to ensure that, in exceptional circumstances, compassion prevails and this never happens again."

A tearful Anne Smith (left) with her friend and neighbour Marie Flynn before she handed herself in to authorities. Picture by Mal McCann

Lisburn solicitor Tony Caher said the judicial system's handling of non-payment of fines is being reviewed.

"Everybody agrees it's a terrible system," he said.

"It is being looked at because they are now going to take steps to ensure that fines can be recovered from state benefits and other sources which is a far more sensible way than having people put into prison".

Figures from the NI Court Service show 60 people a year are jailed for non-payment of TV licence fines.

TV Licensing said yesterday prosecutions are only pursued as a "last resort when all other options are exhausted", with the maximum fine £1,000, plus associated court costs and a `victim surcharge'.

"The sentence is a matter for the courts and TV Licensing has no involvement in this decision."