A MAN who appeared in court for failing to pay fines totalling more than £100 has admitted owing ten times that amount.

Stephen Taylor, of Frances Terrace, Bishop Auckland, appeared before the town's magistrates yesterday for failing to pay fines of £107, which relate to motor offences earlier this year.

When asked why he had made no payments, he told the court: "I don't owe that much, I owe more than £1,000."

Following court record checks it was found that he had fines, imposed last year and this, amounting to £1,700.

Taylor, 21, said he was unable to pay as his only income was pocket money from his grandfather.

He said he had difficulty keeping a job becaues he had been in and out of hospital with diabetes and said he was not entitled to any benefits.

He was ordered to serve a 30-hour Attendance Centre Order at Greenfields School, Newton Aycliffe.

Magistrates' chairman Harry Fletcher said: "Hopefully, you realise that you have come extremely close to a prison sentence, which could have been up to 45 days, and if you fail to meet the conditions of the order that is where you will end up.