A JOBLESS Worcester man who ran up a string of fines has been given a suspended jail sentence in an attempt to make him pay.

Michael Reay, aged 36, appeared before magistrates in Droitwich after failing to pay fines that dated as far back as 1995.

He had been given £30 penalties for exceeding parking waiting limits on several occasions, as well as owing £267.50 imposed after failing to renew his excise licence; a £230 fine and costs for driving without insurance.

Reay, of Hathaway Close in Dines Green, also owed £372.98, imposed for not paying excise tax; £355 for driving without insurance; £160 for speeding and having a defective exhaust; £170 for not having any car tax; £177 for not paying car tax; £330 for failing to pay a council excess charge on three occasions; and £76 costs owed to Crown Court.

He told the court he had started paying some of the money, but admitted he had stopped doing so.

Reay said he had suffered three heart attacks, which left him registered disabled.

Mark Lister, defending, said the court was dealing with "an appalling financial situation".

The court gave Reay a 28-day suspended jail term, telling him to begin paying off the debt at £5 a week. They cut the debt to £771.