Woman of 81 jailed over rates

Droitwich - An 81-year-old woman has been imprisoned for non-payment of business rates

Droitwich - An 81-year-old woman has been imprisoned for non-payment of business rates. Nellie Copson, of Droitwich, Worcestershire, was given a 14-day sentence by local magistrates yesterday for refusing to pay the charges on her unoccupied High Street shop.

The pensioner, who has lived all her life above the disused shop, owed Wychavon District Council £2,762.65 for a four-year period between 1995 and 1999, and says she is unable to pay.