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19 October 2011

Council tax enforcement 

Council Tax 

On Wednesday 31 August 2011, Colin Doherty (44) of Apple Tree Close, Yaxley, was sent to prison for failing to pay £2,200 in council tax. 

The prosecutor for Huntingdonshire District Council told Huntingdon Magistrates Court that the arrears had accrued between 2007 and 2010. The council had attempted to obtain payment, firstly by trying to make payment arrangements with Doherty, and eventually by instructing bailiffs to remove his possessions for sale at auction. However, these attempts were unsuccessful. 

The court heard that Doherty was originally found guilty of culpable neglect (having sufficient money to pay the debt, but failing to do so) in 2008. At that time his sentence was suspended, whilst he paid £100 every month. He originally made payments, but these stopped in November 2009. 

He was then brought back to court on three further occasions, when he promised to maintain payments, however he defaulted on the court order. 

He was due to attend court again on 23 August 2011, but magistrates issued a warrant for his arrest when he didn’t appear. 

He was arrested on 31 August, and attended court where the magistrates decided to activate the prison sentence. They also heard that Doherty had unpaid court fines, and he was sent to prison for 49 days. 

Three other council tax debtors have received suspended prison sentences in the last two weeks. The council urges anyone who has arrears, but has not made arrangements to pay, to contact the recovery team immediately on 01480 388030. 
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