Jail threat warning over fines

MAGISTRATES have warned Chettisham man Marcus Bond he could be jailed for failing to pay more than £800 in court fines. Bond, who is living on benefits because he lost his driving licence earlier this year, told city magistrates he has been spending £20 a

MAGISTRATES have warned Chettisham man Marcus Bond he could be jailed for failing to pay more than £800 in court fines.

Bond, who is living on benefits because he lost his driving licence earlier this year, told city magistrates he has been spending £20 a week on transport, in search of a job.

But at Ely courthouse on Thursday, presiding magistrate Sue Thompson told Bond: "It would be better to use the money paying off your fines. There is an alternative to paying them; you could go to prison instead."

Bond, 27, of Lynn Road, admitted he had paid nothing off fines imposed on him for various offences, some dating back to 2005.

He owes money for driving without insurance or an MoT certificate, having a defective tyre, and for swearing in public when using the railway.

The court had been unable to get the cash from Bond's benefits earlier this year because his payments stopped. On another occasion, a bailiff was unable to find Chettisham, and last month Bond failed to turn up at court to explain why he owed the fines.

"I want to get the fines cleared up, but I don't have any work because I lost my licence for drink-driving," he said. "I want to pay whatever I can until I get my licence back.

"I get my licence back in February; I will then be able to get back to work as a painter and decorator."

The court ordered him to pay £5 immediately, and pay £10 off the debt from his benefit every fortnight.