Almost 7,000 people jailed for failing to pay fines

NEARLY 7,000 people have been jailed for failing to pay fines up to the end of November — the highest number in recent years.

Official figures show 6,969 people were imprisoned for the non-payment of fines by last month — compared to 6,683 for all of 2010.

This is despite the introduction of laws 18 months ago which were supposed to stop the imprisonment of fine defaulters.