AN angry resident from Hollywood is threatening to withhold his council tax and go to prison if Bromsgrove District Council doesn’t apologise for towing his car away.

David Westwood of Hollywood Lane, said he parked his classic VW on his grass verge near to a hedge for some weeks, but he claims the council eventually had it removed without consulting him.

Now he’s got it back after paying a fee, and has stuck notices of protest all over it, in defiance.

Mr Westwood said: “I want my fine of £230.84 returned and a full apology from the council. If repayment is not forthcoming I will stop this sum from my council tax. I will, as a matter of principle, face prison before I surrender to their bully-boy tactics.

“Something very worrying is happening all over this country by local councils and their unaccountable out-of-control power.”

The Bromsgrove taxpayer for 40 years, explained that he was waiting for a mechanic to move his car into his drive after he lost the only key.

Mr Westwood said: “ Without warning or notice a garage, under instructions from Bromsgrove District Council, ‘stole’ my classic car. When I phoned the council I was informed that I had no right of appeal over this dubious act.”

Mike Bell, head of street scene and community services for the district council, said: “If a vehicle is reported to us as being untaxed and on the highway we will inspect it, and if considered abandoned remove it and place it into safe storage.

“We are then obliged to identify the owner and advise them of the actions we have taken and the whereabouts of the vehicle. We also advise the process which the owner has to undertake to recover the vehicle.

“The vehicle owner is breaking the law by keeping a vehicle on the highway without displaying a tax disc. It is also against the law to withhold council tax.”