Ref. 75644-9A RETIRED policeman who was summoned to court because of a council blunder has been told he does not have to appear, after the Advertiser intervened.

David Edwards, 59, was due in court on Monday after the council claimed he owed them £17.26.

But Mr Edwards, who pays his council tax by direct debit, realised it was all because of an error in the council's calculations.

Mr Edward's said: "I just can't believe something like this can happen. How can anyone have any confidence in anything the council says or does?"

The problem began when Mr Edward's circumstances changed and meant he was entitled to a 25 per cent council tax discount.

The council wrote to him in October to say the new reduced amount he had to pay between then and February this year was £145.23, which the council said would be taken out as £31.97 in November and £32 in the next three months.

Unfortunately, the council got its sums wrong and the monthly payments should have been £36.31.

The error meant there was £17.26 outstanding, which Mr Edwards was then summoned to court to pay.

He said: "I went to the Caribbean for Christmas and when I got back I had a summons to court.

"I rang the council helpline, which should be called the 'no help line' and tried to explain it but they didn't understand.

"On top of £17.26 they wanted me to pay £35 costs and a further £15 fine. I couldn't believe it because I pay by direct debit, which is supposed to make it easier.

"Trying to explain it to the council was the hardest part. It's been frustration, they would not listen.

"When I looked at the papers and realised it was because they had got their arithmetic wrong, I just thought it was ridiculous.

"I can stand up for myself but I'm sure that person has done other people's tax and I'm probably not the only one.

"What chance does an ordinary person have against the council? If it wasn't for the Adver I would have had to go to court. It's bullying."

Following a call from the Advertiser, council spokeswoman Sarah Deacon said: "We have reviewed the circumstances of this client and the summons and associated costs have been cancelled."

On Saturday we revealed accountant Steve Byrne, 40, is being taken to court for unpaid council tax, despite the council owing him money for housing benefit.

Mr Byrne, of Taw Hill, who is due in court on Monday, claimed the council was bullying him and making him feel like a criminal.

Gareth Bethell