A FORMER building contractor lost a nine-year battle with the council on Tuesday over a £631 housing rates debt.

John Riley, of Arley Street, had sued Chorley Borough Council alleging malicious prosecution and abuse of public office.

A jury at Liverpool High Court found that Riley, aged 51, had failed to satisfy them he did not say to council officer Malcolm Flannagan he was liable to pay the rates.

They also found that Riley had failed to satisfy them that letters allegedly received by the council from him admitting responsibility for the rates and produced to justices never existed.

During the four-day trial which ended on Tuesday, the court heard that the dispute between Riley, a then bankrupt building contractor, Transform Properties and the council over the £631 debt, started nine years ago. Solicitors for Riley were written to by a council officer to say the council was not going to continue with proceedings to have him jailed for the debt and he need not attend magistrates court.

But Riley did not receive the message and when he went to court on June 29, 1987, the case proceeded, though it was eventually dismissed by magistrates.

Quizzed by the council's barrister Mr Alan Evans, Riley denied ever writing to the council admitting responsibility for the rates, or being obsessed with taking legal action against the council.

This action was the fourth against the council in which Riley had been involved since 1982 - the three earlier proceedings being struck out.

A costs order was made against Riley who was legally aided.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.