Council tax rebel flees the country to avoid arrest
A council tax refusnik was planning to flee the country as police prepared to arrest her.
Gwynneth Lester has driven to Lincoln, where she was staying with friends for a few days before going abroad.
She refused to reveal the exact location of where she is staying and wouldn't confirm when or where she was flying, for fear the police would catch her.
A warrant was issued for Mrs Lester's arrest after she refused to pay 1,200 she owes in tax.
Officers were due to arrest Mrs Lester but Fareham Magistrates' Court couldn't fit in the hearing, so they said they'd be back to arrest her on Monday, but didn't return.
She was also meant to be in Fareham Magistrates' Court yesterday, for refusing to reveal details of her finances to the council, but didn't attend.
After hearing nothing from the police Mrs Lester, 59, decided she wasn't going to wait around.
'I've waited for days and I'm not willing to put my life on hold just so they can come and arrest me,' she said. 'They've had their chance and they didn't take it, now they can come and try to find me if they want.
'I've got no idea if I'll be in more trouble when they track me down, but I really don't care.'
Mrs Lester, of Peel Common, Gosport, is refusing to pay because she does not believe police and social services do a good enough job and she thinks Gosport council can't manage its finances.
She admits she has enough money to pay and has already served a 28-day stretch in HMP Bronzefield, Middlesex, for refusing to pay council tax bills.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
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