Pensioner Jailed for not paying council tax

Burnsy2023

Burnsy2023

Burnsy2023

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In relation to this article:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/derbyshire/5115104.stm

BBC News said:
A woman who refused to pay her council tax in protest at the condition of her neighbourhood has been jailed.
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BBC News said:
Josephine Rooney, 69, who lives in Hartington Street, Derby, has the £800 to pay, but said the city council has failed to clean up her area.
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I was surprised by the sentance given though. Three months. I think this was a bit harsh, maybe a month or 45 days, but three months? Why couldn't they keep a murderer in for 90 days extra?

Your thoughts?


Burnsy
 
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Wonder if she'll stand by her protest and refuse to cough up the folding, now that the judge has said she's free to go as soon as she pays.
 
bitboy said:
Wonder if she'll stand by her protest and refuse to cough up the folding, now that the judge has said she's free to go as soon as she pays.
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Good question, I wonder, especially as its not a short time for the crime.

Burnsy

Edit: Ironic she won a government award for it though.
 
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Good on her, at least she is willing to stand up for what is right. Why should she pay for a service that she isn't getting?
Unfortunately, the time she has to do in jail is not correct for her 'crime' though.
Instead of throwing her in a cell for months thats going to cost a fortune, why not sort out the problems in her area and I'm sure she would be willing to stump up the money if she is getting what she is paying for.
 
What most people dont realise is that after jail term you dont actually have to pay the sum, its suprising the number of people who dont realise that and pay up.

My mum works as in council tax and she gets lots of calls form people saying pretty much the same thing "you havent done what i want so im not paying" like its some voluntary contribution. :confused:

The sentence does seem a bit harsh but if it was a 35 year old single male builder would you think the same thing, probably not, all the replies would be "serves him right" and "I pay so why shouldnt he?"
 
Amp34 said:
My mum works as in council tax and she gets lots of calls form people saying pretty much the same thing "you havent done what i want so im not paying" like its some voluntary contribution. :confused:
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Council tax is payment for services rendered, like taking your trash away or street sweeping etc. If people aren't getting what they pay for, then why should they pay? Would you go to a resturant and pay for lobster when you only got cheese on toast ?

Amp34 said:
The sentence does seem a bit harsh but if it was a 35 year old single male builder would you think the same thing, probably not, all the replies would be "serves him right" and "I pay so why shouldnt he?"
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No matter who it was, I'd still say the sentence was harsh for the so called 'crime' and its completely disproportionate when you look at what people get for far worse crimes like stabbings etc.
 
Shameful that she got so long, but good for her for sticking to it.

If the council doesn't perform they don't deserve a penny. Pity the other residents arn't backing her up with more protests.
 
Amp34 said:
My mum works as in council tax and she gets lots of calls form people saying pretty much the same thing "you havent done what i want so im not paying" like its some voluntary contribution. :confused:
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It's not a voluntary contribution... that is EXACTLY why the service should deliver. They force people to pay this fee then fail to provide anthing for it.... the council should be on trial not her.
 
Anyone one else think that jail isn't the right punishment for someone who is obviously no danger to society? I would rather jail was full of people who were a active risk to society and hence need to be physically segregated.

Obviously other crimes do need a punishment and one that is harsh enough to deter people from offending - I just think we need something a little more sophisticated than jail.
 
clv101 said:
Anyone one else think that jail isn't the right punishment for someone who is obviously no danger to society? I would rather jail was full of people who were a active risk to society and hence need to be physically segregated.

Obviously other crimes do need a punishment and one that is harsh enough to deter people from offending - I just think we need something a little more sophisticated than jail.
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Almost certaintly true... but what do you suggest.

Don't answer that.. it's a whole other thread.
 
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