THREE people from Hook have been sentenced for failing to pay their council tax.

Hart District Council took four residents from the Hart area to court following the non-payment of council tax, with debt totalling over £39,000.

They were sentenced at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on October 23.

The three residents from Hook all received a three-month suspended sentence, while a resident from Fleet received a one-month suspended sentence.

Patricia Hughes, joint chief executive at Hart District Council, said: “We always work with our residents to help those who have difficulties in providing affordable payment plans and as a result have a high collection rate for council tax with 98.7 per cent of residents paying on time.

“Taking people to court is always a last resort, however for those who can pay but won’t pay, this is a clear message to them, that the council will take positive enforcement action.”