Rebel pays £6,000 for boob job rather than tax bill
A tax rebel who is on the run from police has spent cash she owes the council on a boob job and facelift.
A warrant is out for Gwynneth Lester's arrest, but she has skipped the county and splashed-out more than 6,000 on cosmetic surgery.
She has been living in a caravan at a secret location in Lincolnshire since a warrant was issued for her arrest in April for not paying her council tax.
The 59-year-old owes Gosport Borough Council 1,200, but rather than pay-up she's had the skin above her eyes lifted and breast implants fitted.
Now she claims she can't afford to stump-up the money she owes because she doesn't have a penny to her name.
Mrs Lester said: 'I'm not going to pay the money, I couldn't anyway I've just spent more than 6,000 on some cosmetic improvements and I don't have any money now.
'I was completely flat-chested and I've gone bigger now, but I'm not up to page three standards or anything.
'I'm knocking on 60, but I don't care. I've wanted a boob job since I was 17 years old, so just decided to go for it.
'I wouldn't pay my taxes even if I could. I'd rather go to prison, I've got no problem with that but I'm not willing to give the council any of my money.'
Mrs Lester, of Peel Common, is refusing to pay because she does not believe police and social services do a good enough job.
Officers went to her house to arrest her on April 25, but found she was still in bed and said they would let her get dressed and return later.
She then packed her possessions and fled the country for a few weeks in Tenerife and has been in hiding since her return.
Leader of the council, Councillor Dave Smith, said: 'I just think she is rubbing salt in the wounds and is putting two fingers up at all the hard working taxpayers.
'I've got no time for her – this just shows a total disregard for democracy.'
Mrs Lester has served a 28-day prison sentence in HMP Bronzefield, Middlesex, for refusing to pay her council tax.
Julian Bowcher, head of financial services at the council, said: 'We vigorously pursue all non-payers of council tax in the interests of the vast majority who do.'
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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