MAGISTRATES in Barry have issued a no-bail warrant against rooftop protester Ricky Canty for non-payment of council tax, following a Vale Council application.

The Vale Council say the 58-year-old former car salesman owes £741.44 in council tax for the year 2006/07, but he claims he was exempt because he was in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance before he was sent to prison for three months last summer.

Ricky has been occupying the roof of his former home in Raldan Close, Gibbonsdown, for more than 18 months - but was sent to prison for contempt of court, for refusing to get down, after ten-and-a-half months.

He climbed back onto the roof a week after his release on June 4.

Ricky wrote to the court telling them: "I have not received a penny from the Jobseekers Allowance since June 5.

"I am not responsible for the Council tax costs while I am unemployed and or imprisoned or on the roof.' "I can't pay council tax for a property I have been evicted from. It's madness.

"I won't come down until I get justice," he added.

"I don't care if King Kong comes out here.

"I'll be back on this roof.

I aint going nowhere."

A Vale Council spokesman said: "In the absence of Mr Richard Canty, an arrest warrant without bail was obtained in respect of council tax arrears of £741.44.

"The council will endeavour to execute the warrant as it successfully does in many other cases, and will continue to pursue outstanding council tax for the benefit of services to the community.

"Anyone in genuine difficulty with council tax payments can contact the collection office on 01446 709564."