Courts told to fine the wealthy more

High earners are to face heavier fines for minor offences under planned legislation published today.

Ministers want the wealthy to pay far more than those on lower incomes for offences such as speeding and drunk and disorderly behaviour.

But critics warn that previous attempts to link fines to income have proved a shambles and fear the new scheme will be unworkable.

The new Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill would have offenders fined a number of "income units" according to the severity of their offence. The units would be a percentage of earnings, up to a maximum of ?75 per unit.

There would be a maximum number of units for each type of offence - with magistrates using their discretion over how many units to impose.

At the top end of the scale the maximum fine for an offence such as leaving the scene of a road accident would soar from ?5,000 to ?15,000. For offences such as being drunk in a pub the maximum number of units would be 10, making a fine of ?750 compared with ?200 now.

The Government claims the system "would help rebuild fines as a credible punishment for low risk offenders".

But critics point out that a similar scheme introduced by the Tories in 1993 descended into farce over gross anomalies.

Today's Daily Telegraph cites the cases of a drink driver marginally over the legal limit being fined ?1,500 while another driver more than twice over the limit was fined ?104 at the same court on the same day because he was on benefits.