Reading Borough Council has sent Mick Spreader a letter accusing him of illegally claiming a council tax discount. The council's fraud-busters, Data Tank, have thoroughly checked through his rubbish bins and performed credit reference checks and charged him with cohabiting whilst claiming a 25% discount.

The letter states:
"In your case we have found information that you may be living with Matilda Thecat. We have cross-referenced your data with the Evening Post's letters page and she has been sending emails from your address and has opened up an account with a tinned tuna importing company. We also have reason to believe that she has unrestricted access to your house."

Mr. Spreader has denied any impropriety and told us: "She's a cat."

People wanting to avoid the audit are being recommended to simply not register to vote as the council have not included a fair collection notice with the voter registration forms and they disclose the information to commercial third parties outside the National Fraud Initiative guidelines.