COUNCIL tax cheats in Worcestershire have been sent a strict message by courts - pay up or else.

Worcester magistrates yesterday sentenced 38-year-old Gordon Kenny, of Swallow Place, Droitwich, to prison for 56 days.

Kenny had not paid any council tax to Wychavon District Council since 1997 and owed a total of £1,536.45.

The magistrates' decision came after several previous hearings at which he was ordered to pay the money.

Wychavon District Council said it believed people should pay for their crimes.

"We take non-payment of council tax very seriously, even though it has only lead to prison sentences before on rare occasions," said a council spokesman.

"We pride ourselves on offering support and advice to those who find it hard to pay their bills for a variety of reasons, and only use commitment to prison as a last resort.

"The reason this is a last resort is because, in situations like this, it isn't just the criminal who pays. Those who choose to not pay their bills cost vigilant taxpayers more money.

"However, this is something we will not put up with. The magistrates decision reiterates this and sends a message to dodgers that they can't get away with it forever."

Kenny's run of non-payments was first spotted at the end of March in 1998, when it was found he had not paid £296.31 from 1997-1998 - the remaining balance for his tax for that financial year.

In 1999-2000 he did not pay £554.88, in 2000-2001 it was £256.86 as he was receiving some benefits, and in 2001-2002 he owed £443.40.

There are no records of him not paying his council tax from 1998-1999, but the council said he was on benefits at the time.

Kenny, who at first represented himself before deciding he wanted a duty solicitor, blamed a lack of work for the non-payments.