TWO Yate men have been named in a list of people with outstanding court debts.

The list, selected at random from courts throughout Avon and Somerset, is the latest crackdown on people who do not pay up after being convicted and fined.

The fines have been imposed for a variety of offences and range from hundreds of pounds to £17,500. Some owe money for numerous offences.

The list compiles the top 25 fine defaulters from courts in Northavon, Bath, Bristol, North Somerset and Somerset. It has been published in an effort to "name and shame" those offenders who owe courts money.

Ulrich Hempel, of Station Road, Yate, owes Northavon Magistrates' Court £483.34 in fines and £45 costs.

Peter Walker, 23, of Milton Road owes £1,225 in a combination of fines and costs.

The publication of the list, which includes details of 150 people who owe money to the courts, follows a recent fines blitz in Avon and Somerset, which resulted in numerous debts being paid.

David Speed, justices' clerk at Bristol Magistrates' Court, said: "Our recent initiative was so successful that we have decided to repeat it and recover even more of the money owed in fines and compensation orders for victims.

"I encourage everyone who is worried about their fines to contact their local magistrates' court immediately so they can start the new year on a sound payment footing and without the ongoing worry of a debt not being paid.

"Campaigns of this sort underline one of the fundamental principles of the judicial system where sentences are seen through to completion."

Fine defaulters are also being warned that they could face further consequences if they do not pay up.

Outstanding fines can be deducted from a person's wages or benefit entitlements but defaulters could end up being arrested and even imprisoned.