A PETERSFIELD man who refused to pay his council tax has been jailed for 60 days by a Hampshire court.

Basingstoke magistrates heard that Neil MacKenzie previously asked a court for six months to settle his council tax arrears.

But the 55 year old from Lower Heyshott made no attempt to pay the four-figure bill despite running into money a few weeks later.

MacKenzie was given a two-month suspended sentence last Thursday so he can pay the £1,917.22 owed to East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) by March 1.

The court heard that the case had been adjourned from June 2012 when MacKenzie asked for six months to settle the bill.

Magistrates came to a verdict of wilful refusal after hearing that MacKenzie earned some money in the interim but made no attempt to pay.

Brian Wood, EHDC's revenues manager, claimed the court action to recover the arrears was regrettable but necessary.

He said: "The vast majority of council tax is paid monthly by direct debit and court action is taken against relatively few people.

"There are strict rules governing council tax, and failure to pay can ultimately lead to personal bankruptcy or imprisonment."

He added that anyone struggling to pay council tax or business rates could get help by calling EHDC on 01730 234400.