Ricky’s facing jail over council tax

Jan 25 2008 by Peter Collins, South Wales Echo

Ricky’s facing jail over council tax

ROOFTOP protester Ricky Canty is facing prison once again – this time for failing to pay council tax on the house where has been demonstrating for more than 18 months.

The 58-year-old former car salesman has been ordered to appear before magistrates in Barry at the end of January to answer a case brought by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The council claims that Ricky, who first clambered onto the roof of the house in Raldan Close, Barry, in April, 2006, owes £741.44 in council tax for 2006/07. The authority has applied for him to be sent to prison if he fails to pay the tax.

Ricky spent three months in prison last summer for contempt of court because he refused to come off the roof. He was released on June 4 and clambered back onto the roof a week later.

The protest centres on a long-running dispute over the ownership of the house and land. Ricky said he would not come off the roof to appear in court in Barry. Instead, he wold be writing to the court setting out his case.

He said: “I say I do not owe the money and, in any event, I cannot pay it because I have no money. I received no benefits or any financial assistance.”

A Vale council spokesman said: “We can confirm that a summons has been served against Mr Richard Canty for council tax arrears of £741.44 for the 2006/07 financial year. This summons is returnable at Barry Magistrates’ Court on January 29, 2008.

“Details of the matter will be discussed with Mr Canty only but the council is committed to pursuing outstanding council tax liabilities and seeking prison terms to ensure payment.

“Anyone in genuine difficulty with council tax payments can contact the collection office on 01446 709564.”

peter.collins@mediawales.co.uk