Council tax debtors given suspended jail terms

SIX residents have been hauled before a court for failing to pay council tax.

Oldham Council launched the prosecutions after numerous requests and warnings to pay up went unheeded.

The six debtors were all found guilty of culpable neglect by a council tax committal court.

They were: Lisa Travis (36) now of Broadway, Chadderton, sentenced to 30 days in prison suspended and to pay £100 a month.

Ross White (39), now of Dukinfield, sentenced to 30 days in prison suspended and to pay £40 a week.

Julie Ann Warren, of Lydgate Drive, Salem, sentenced to 60 days in prison suspended and to pay £150 a month.

Roger Simpson, now of Shillingford Road, Chadderton, sentenced to 60 days in prison suspended and to pay £140 a month.

David Evans (42), now of Edith Street, Hathershaw, sentenced to 60 days in prison suspended and to pay £20 a fortnight.

Martin King (52), of Longfellow Crescent, Sholver, sentenced to 60 days in prison suspended and to pay £5 a week.

Council tax committal courts are used as a last resort to ensure that those who refuse to pay are brought to justice.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance and human resources, said: “Those who choose not to pay their Council Tax should know that the local authority will use all available methods to recover outstanding debts.