Tax protester prepared to go to prison
A POLITICAL figure is continuing to refuse to pay his council tax, despite the threat of jail.
James Stinson, leader of Grimsby's Generalist Party, was made the subject of a liability order at Grimsby Magistrates' Court yesterday.
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James Stinson at Grimsby Magistrates Court. He was issued with a liability order for refusing to pay council tax
If he continues to refuse to pay the outstanding balance of more than £1,300, he will be summoned to appear before the court again – and could face prison.
As reported, he stopped paying his council tax for his one-bedroom flat in Grimsby in November, after a 3.25 per cent rise in the tax was approved by councillors.
Mr Stinson said: "The party decided then that something had to be done and I chose to stand up.
"Someone has to stand up for what they believe in. I am prepared to go to prison over this – I believe that prison is a holiday camp nowadays anyway."
During his appearance at court yesterday, Mr Stinson was asked by legal adviser Rob Wressle why he was not paying his council tax.
He replied: "I believe the council tax I pay is unfair."
Mr Wressle said: "What lawful reason do you have to not pay your council tax? I am not getting into whether it is unfair at all." Mr Stinson then responded: "There is no lawful reason."
He was then made the subject of a liability order, which means he is legally obliged to pay the outstanding balance – or face prosecution and a possible prison sentence.
After the hearing, Mr Stinson said: "That is what I expected to happen, but I am not going to start paying the council tax.
"My lawful reasons for not paying are few and far between. What I am doing is illegal.
"However, I have a basic human right to afford to live and the crippling council tax I have to pay infringes that right.
"I hope that what I am doing will make people consider what they are paying in council tax and maybe they will start a petition or start protesting themselves.
"The increase in council tax has badly affected people in North East Lincolnshire. I have not taken this action lightly.
"I consider it to be a harsh increase during a recession. It is not a time when people should be demanding more money.
"It is a time when the council should look at ways of cutting costs."
The maximum penalty for willful non-payment of council tax is a prison sentence of up to 90 days.
Councils can also take other action, including directing bailiffs to seize property in lieu of payment.
28 Comments
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by Steve, Cleethorpes
Saturday, January 30 2010, 11:36AM
“So did James go to prison? Was his debt passed to a collection agency who sent the bailiffs? Or did he roll over and pay? With such a political stunt, and I daresay this 'party' will crawl out of the woodwork again around the time of the general election, we need to know these things!”
by Jim, Gy
Thursday, June 25 2009, 4:19PM
“Why should I pay my taxes to keep him in prison? He has a job if I remember, putting burgers in buns and so let him get back to it and pay his council tax. Most of us find council tax as palatable as his burgers but we get on with it and so should he. If he doesn't pay then send the bailiffs in, who have no sympathy with immature melodramatic martyrs and get the job done. Let him be a martyr in his empty house for as long as he can stand it.”
by katie, gy
Thursday, June 25 2009, 3:25PM
“The estimated cost for a UK prison place is usually quoted at something like £37,500 per year. This works out at £102.74 per day. So, to lock him up for 90 days will cost over £9000. Call me daft, but it all seems a little disproportionate...”
by Lou, Grimsby
Thursday, June 25 2009, 3:18PM
“Rusty, not sure if the Raving Loony Party is still around in any form or not 'Screaming Lord Sutch' (David Sutch. passed away in 1999, not sure if it's been kept going - Perhaps he could revive it?”
by colleague, grimsby
Thursday, June 25 2009, 2:27PM
“I think they have since had a lovers tiff elector and If I am correct, James, the bargain bucket eating non council tax paying politician is the one and only member of his party, although I may stand corrected.”