FOUR tax dodgers have avoided jail terms following a crackdown on unpaid council tax totalling thousands of pounds.

Judges handed out suspended sentences to two men from Warminster and two women from Bradford and Melksham at Chippenham Magistrates Court.

Cllr Roy White, West Wiltshire District Council's corporate portfolio holder, said: "We successfully collect some 97 per cent of the council tax payable in the district, but there are always some people who think they can buck the system.

"We take these cases very seriously and we will take people to court if necessary. I hope these suspended sentences will stand as a warning."

Among the convicted four was Attur Rahman, of East Street, Warminster, who failed to pay over £2,000 and was sentenced to 28 days' imprisonment suspended as long as the debt is cleared in monthly instalments.

Charmain Dobson, 50, of Ashley Close, Bradford, also failed to pay over £2,000 in council tax and had a 28 days' prison sentence suspended conditional to paying back the debt.

Graham Mabbett, of East Street, Warminster, and Jacqueline Ferrett, of Philip Close, Melksham, both received prison terms suspended until debts of £536 and £1,800 respectively were paid.