PENSIONER Alan Cayley, of Manaton, was ordered to pay the outstanding balance on his council tax, plus court costs, by a south Devon magistrate at Newton Abbot on Monday, writes Kate Cowling. Mr Cayley, 72, who had been summoned for failing to complete payment, was joined by a 20-strong crowd from the Devon Pensioners' Action group, which had planned a peaceful protest to support Mr Cayley and to raise awareness of its cause. Teignbridge Council had brought action against Cayley after he refused to make any further payment on the outstanding balance of £208. This money was withheld by Cayley in protest at the disproportionate taxing system for pensioners, he said. Speaking outside the court house, Mr Cayley described how 'council tax has increased year upon year from nine per cent, 11 per cent to the 12 per cent we are being forced to pay today.' He said: 'This tax uses up nearly all of my wife's state pension; that's £2,600 a year and council tax is £2,100.' In what was his second appearance before the magistrates court, Mr Cayley listened respectfully to the charge being brought against him, but read a prepared statement. 'Council tax on our home is now £2,181 – £6 per day. This takes 28 per cent of our married person's state pension. 'That is more than one week in every four, every year. We do not receive a pension – it goes straight to the local authority,' he told the court. Mr Cayley also made a plea that the court set the summons and costs aside, which he felt would send a clear message to Teignbridge Council. But he was told that 'despite having great sympathy for Mr Cayley's case', it was beyond the court's jurisdiction to go beyond the law. He was ordered to pay the outstanding balance of £208 plus £30 costs. The proceedings were brought to an abrupt end when regional co-ordinator of the DPA, Albert Venison, shouted out in protest. The court was quickly cleared and uniformed police were called by court staff. Mr Cayley's summons was watched closely by Exeter pensioner Sylvia Hardy, who was imprisoned last year after failing to pay her council tax bill.'