Four prosecuted for non-payment of council tax

Four people have been prosecuted by South Bedfordshire District Council for non-payment of Council tax.

The four were sentenced last Monday (16th July) at Luton and South Bedfordshire Magistrates Court and received a suspended prison sentence of eight weeks and were ordered to repay the amount owing in instalments.

The four defendants were Mr Christopher Edwards, of 48 Little Meadow, Woodside Home Park, Woodside, Luton, Mrs Jane Deighton, of  25 Blackthorn Road, Houghton Regis, Mr John Senior, of 11 Brookfield Avenue, Houghton Regis and Mr Gary Edenborough, of 237 Meadow Way, Leighton Buzzard.

In each of the cases Magistrates found the failure to pay was due to ‘culpable neglect’ rather than willful refusal and so the sentences were suspended on condition that the payments as laid down by the court are fully paid.

Councillor Philip Penman, portfolio holder with executive responsibility for Finance said: “We are fully committed to pursuing through the courts anyone who does not pay their council tax bills and are willing to make arrangements for people who have genuine difficulty in paying."

"Those who do not pay their Council Tax or make late payments pass the cost onto the vast majority of residents that do pay on time."

"South Bedfordshire District Council collects tax on behalf of the County, Parish, Police, Fire & Ambulance Authorities and offers a number of methods of making payment including Direct Debit or via our web site www.southbeds.gov.uk"

Don't miss the 24dash.com audio bulletins for the latest news and information - http://www.24dash.com/podcasts