A council tax dodger has been jailed after flouting court order for him to pay what he owed.

Keith White, 64, owed Carlisle City Council more than £3,000 in unpaid rates.

And, despite being ordered by a court to stump up his arrears within 35 days, he still failed to pay it back.

White, of Eden Park Crescent, Carlisle, owed £3,165.49.

He was found guilty of failing to pay council tax following a hearing at the city's magistrates' court in May - and given the time ultimatum to clear his debt.

He was also given a prison sentence, suspended for 45 days.

But, after hearing that the monies were still outstanding, magistrates last week activated the jail term.

It's a case that council chiefs hope will remind people of the consequences of failing to pay their tax.

A Carlisle City Council spokeswoman said: "Enforcement action is only taken as a last resort and only after we have exhausted all other ways of recovering the debt.

"We provide a variety of payment options for local tax payers.

"We urge residents to contact either our customer services team or our recovery section as soon as possible to discuss repayment plans.
"Support is available based on personal circumstances and council tax reduction claims can be made online at www.carlisle.gov.uk

“Independent debt advice can also be sought by contacting agencies such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Carlisle Law Centre.”

To get in touch with the council's customer contact team, call 01228 817200 or visit the Civic Centre between 9am and 5pm from Monday until Thursday and between 9am and 4pm on Fridays.