A serial council tax dodger has been jailed.

Bharat Patel, of Fairfield Road, in Edmonton, was found guilty of not paying £4,843 in council tax between January 2007 and September 2011.

Mr Patel had failed to appear at an earlier hearing but was then arrested and taken straight to court.

He was convicted on May 1, at Enfield Magistrates Court and will spend 90 days behind bars.

Councillor Andrew Stafford, cabinet member for finance said: “Few people realise that failing to pay your council tax can result in prison.

“Every year we take thousands of people to court and whilst prison is very rare, the courts recognise that income from council tax is essential to the delivery of key local services.

“People who evade paying council tax or fraudulently claim discounts raise the costs of council tax for those that do pay.

“Mr Patel’s case shows the council will continue to pursue those who evade paying council tax and will use the courts as necessary to get justice for council tax payers.”