Prison for council tax pensioner

A pensioner has been jailed for 32 days for not paying his council tax, after running up a bill of £1,300.

Richard Fitzmaurice from Heacham in Norfolk was ordered to pay the tax in July after cancelling his direct debit.

He was ordered by magistrates at King's Lynn to pay the tax within a fortnight - a period which was extended.

Speaking before the sentence on Monday Mr Fitzmaurice said he stood by his decision because his tax was rising faster than his state pension.