Magistrates at Barry have recently imposed prison sentences on seven Vale of Glamorgan residents found guilty of failing to pay their council tax.
Ms Sheryl Gamble of Rhodfa Sweldon, Barry; Mr Edward Deacon of Kingsland Crescent, Barry; Mr Joseph J Neilson of Aneurin Road, Barry; Mr Vincent James Richards of Ty Newydd, Leckwith Road, Llandough; Miss Jacqueline Cooksey of Plymouth Road, Penarth; and Mr John Staples of Barnstable House, Boverton Park Drive, Boverton, had previously appeared before Magistrates where prison sentences were imposed but suspended on repayment terms. The defendants had failed to honour the terms of their suspended sentences and were summonsed to appear before the Magistrates during October and November to answer why they had failed to comply with their orders.
Every opportunity was given to the defendants to appear before the Magistrates to state their reasons for non-payment, but as they failed to attend the court hearings the decision was made to activate their warrants and impose their sentences with immediate effect, giving custodial terms of 25, 27, 42, 35, 26 and 24 days respectively.
Mr Gareth Foxall of Lewis Street Barry had also previously appeared before Magistrates where a prison sentence was imposed, but suspended on repayment terms. The defendant had failed to honour the terms of his suspended sentence and was summonsed to appear before the Magistrates on 18 October to give a reason why he had failed to comply with the order.
Mr Foxall appeared before the Magistrates but could give no good reason why he had not honoured the terms of the previous order made. As a result the Magistrates activated the prison sentence of 32 days and Mr Foxall was taken straight into custody.
A council spokesperson said: “The council will continue to bring persistent council tax defaulters to court and seek custodial sentences in order to ensure payment for essential local services.
If a person is in genuine difficulty with the payment of their council tax then they should contact the council tax collection office on 01446 709564 to discuss payment.”
If a council tax payer is on low income then there are reductions available through the council tax benefit scheme. Contact the benefits section on 01446 709244 for more information.
