Council tax defaulter gran spared prospect of jail return

An assurance has been given that a 52-year-old grandmother who fears being sent back to jail over council tax debts will face no further legal action — for now.

Carla Buckle was released from prison just in time for Christmas. A campaign for her release went viral, saying she was struggling to live on a low income as a carer on a zero-hours contract, earning just £7 (€8.94) an hour for around 25 hours a week.

Buckle, from Newbury, Berkshire, was prosecuted by West Berkshire Council for failing to pay over £3,000 in council tax.