Ex-magistrate takes tax protest to court

David Richardson with wife Pamela: Paying increase in cost of living

An 84-year-old former magistrate is due in court next week for failing to pay his council tax.

David Richardson has withheld the part of the tax he believes is unfair.

He is the first member of the campaigning group, the Devon Pensioners' Action Forum, to face a court hearing.

The 17.9% council tax rise in Devon last year was one of the highest in England and led to widespread protests by pensioners.

People have had enough David Richardson Have your say on council tax on BBC Devon

Retired businessman Mr Richardson and his wife Pamela, who live in Haytor, have been paying only last year's amount plus 1.7% to reflect the rise in the cost of living.

Mr Richardson, who was on the magistrates' bench himself for 26 years, said: "I see no other way of getting across the fact that people have had enough, and enough is enough of this continual step-by-step increase in the tax."

The court summons has come from Teignbridge District Council, which collects the tax.

Council 'duty'

Mr Richardson is due to appear before Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on Monday.

The council says its offers to help him pay have been rejected, so legal action is the only option.

Peter Stabb, Director of Resources, said: "We are obliged to collect council tax, it's a legislation, it's a duty we owe to other council tax payers in the district.

"However we do work with individuals to make it as easy as possible for them to pay, we offer them instalments and even council tax benefits for those who genuinely can't afford it."