AN Ilminster man who was accused by magistrates of telling a “tissue of lies” after persistently refusing to pay his court fines was sent to prison for 48 days after being found guilty of culpable neglect.

Christopher Hopkins owed over £3,000 in accrued fines and on his last court appearance he was ordered to pay a lump sum of £300 but the payment was never made.

He appeared back before Yeovil Magistrates’ Court after a term of imprisonment previously made against him had been suspended on four previous occasions on condition he started making payments.

Defending solicitor Greg Peters said that Hopkins had been the victim of a nasty assault and had been hospitalised for a time.

“He received a fractured eye socket, broken bones and swelling and although had been signed off from his work as a carpenter he is now back to work,” he said.

“He has plenty of work lined up as a self-employed carpenter and can offer to pay £100 to the court today.

“It is not a case of wilful refusal to pay as he wants to pay and hopes that now he has the work lined up he will be in a position to pay.”

Chair of the magistrates, Beverley Higgs, told Hopkins he had been given six previous chances to pay and had not sought any professional advice.

“What you are saying, quite frankly, looks like a tissue of lies because on the last occasion you promised to pay a £300 lump sum but did not,” she said.

“This is a substantial amount of money owing for a long period of time, therefore we are going to activate the 48 days in custody that was previously suspended.”