A RYDE father “buried his head in the sand and ignored” child maintenance payments, a court heard.

The man appeared at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court earlier this month, on a complaint for committal to prison or to be disqualified from driving, for non-payment of child support and costs of £2,598.

The complaint was brought in accordance with section 39A of the Child Support Act 1991.

Magistrates found that the defendant had money but did not pay, and he accepted he put his head in the sand and ignored it.

He must now pay up, or serve 42 days in prison.

The reason given by magistrates was “culpable neglect”.

He is to pay at the rate of £100 per month.

There are also costs of £41 to be paid to the Child Maintenance Service.