Prison terms for non-payment of Council Tax - 29/11/06
Vale of Glamorgan magistrates at Barry have imposed prison
sentences on two women found guilty of failing to pay Council
Tax.
Emma Parkes, of Scott Close, St Athan, and Jade Andrew, of
Westbury Close, Barry, who were not in court, were sentenced to
terms of 23 days and nine days respectively.
Both had previously appeared before magistrates and received
sentences which were suspended subject to outstanding monies being
repaid.
A Vale Council spokesman said: "Every opportunity was given to
both defendants to appear before the magistrates to state the
reasons for non-payment but, as they failed to appear, the court
decided to activate the suspended sentence in their absence."
The spokesman added: “The Council will continue to bring
persistent Council Tax defaulters to court for committal to prison
and seek custodial sentences in order to ensure payment is received
for essential local services.”
If a person was in genuine difficulty with the payment of
Council Tax, then they should contact the collection office on
(01446) 709564 to discuss payment, he added.
He further stated that, through the Council Tax benefit scheme,
reductions were available for persons on low income, and further
information could be obtained from the benefits section on (01446)
709244.