A GRAVESEND man has been jailed for 42 days for not paying more than £4,500 of council tax.

Karl Homden, 46, of Russell Road was found guilty in 2010 of refusing to pay council tax.

He was ordered by Dartford Magistrates to pay £10 a week and was handed a 42-day suspended sentence.

In January 2012, the order was changed so Homden only had to pay back £3.40 per week, as he was claiming benefits again.

However, he failed to pay this amount and the suspended prison sentence was implemented last Thursday (March 21).

Gravesham Council leader Councillor John Burden said: “Jail is always the last resort and is always avoidable.

“If people are having trouble in paying their council tax it is essential that they contact the council so we can help them.

“However, failure to pay council tax is not acceptable and those that refuse to do so will be brought before the courts and dealt with properly.”