Ex-soldier jailed for tax refusal

The 76-year-old retired soldier refuses to pay the tax on principle

A retired soldier from West Norfolk has been jailed for refusing to pay his council tax bill of more than £1,500.

Richard Fitzmaurice, 76, from Heacham, was sent to prison for 34 days by magistrates in Kings Lynn.

Before appearing in court he said he would make a protest on behalf of pensioners who could not afford rises in the tax imposed by local councils.

In 2007 he served two days of a 30 day sentence before his children paid his fine and he was released.

The great-grandfather said he could afford to pay the council tax bill but was refusing on a point of principle because he thought the rises were unfair to people on fixed incomes.