A council tax protester who refused to pay in full because he claimed the police were "as much use as a chocolate fireguard" has been jailed for 14 days.

Richard North, 53, a scientist, political commentator and parliamentary resear-cher, refused to pay the police precept because he said he had been repeatedly burgled and the force had done nothing about it.

He told Bradford Magistrates' Court yesterday: "This is an uncomfortable point of principle but I have had it up to here with this system, its lack of responsibility and blind stupidity and total inadequacies."

North was told he would be spared the two weeks behind bars if he paid the £272 he owes. The initial sum was £78 but that had risen due to the costs of pursuing him.

"Virtually every house in the street has been burgled," he told the court. "An elderly neighbour was mugged on her front doorstep in broad daylight. We made the fatal mistake of parking our car at the back of my house when it was smashed in for some toe-rag to steal my wife's briefcase.

"In terms of prevention, or solving any of these crimes, the police have been as much use as the proverbial chocolate fireguard."

North had initially gone to pay the tax but the theft of his wife's briefcase pushed him over the edge.

He said: "On the day I paid the cheque to the Council for my tax, my wife's car was broken, the side window being smashed. Coincidentally, it cost us £78 to repair - the same amount we were being charged for the police precept. It was the last straw. I simply deducted the sum from the council tax."

He highlighted the fact that while he would be behind bars for not paying his tax, the criminals would be roaming free.

North, of Croft Mill, Sharp Street, Bradford, who was charged with non-payment of tax, told the magistrates that he was not willing to pay for a service that he was not actually receiving.

He said: "If the police force insist on calling themselves a service and me a customer then I'm exercising my right not to pay for a service that is clearly not being redeemed."

He was asked by prosecutor Margaret Howard if he realised that he will be sent to prison if he did not pay. North, representing himself, replied: "I would have to be mentally retarded not to be aware of that.

"I am at the end of my tether. What do I have left to do? It's like a merry-go-round."

Bench chairman Brian Venables told him: "We have listened carefully to your reasons, however we find you guilty of wilful refusal to pay the tax. You have chosen to wear your hair shirt to the end."