The woman in her 70s sold buns and bread on social media.
The municipality forbade this and handed out a fine – but the woman’s sales did not stop and when she refused to pay for a long time, she had to spend a month and a half in prison.
– It has taken a very hard toll on her and she is very depressed, says her defense lawyer Frida Larsson.
During the years 2020 and 2021, a woman in her 70s in Norrbotten has on four occasions been required to pay the fine in the amount of SEK 130,000. This after the municipality banned her from selling buns and bread on social media until she registered the business.
In the district court’s decision, it is stated that she refused to pay this and then the fine is turned into a prison sentence of one and a half months.
– Conversion of fines should be aimed at people who are unwilling to pay and not at a pensioner who likes to bake and post on Facebook. My client wants to do right for herself, but she has limited financial means to do so, says the woman’s defense lawyer Frida Larsson.
Baking her great interest
In the decision, it is stated that the elderly woman said that she only sold baked goods on a single occasion and then only charged for the ingredients. She has also told us that baking is her great interest, which she shows off on social media. The woman goes on to say that she usually gives baked goods to the grandchildren and saves some in the freezer.
The district court believes that the woman has continued to sell pastries and bread even though a fine has been handed out and that the sale would cease.
Will appeal
Defense lawyer Frida Larsson believes that a prison sentence is far too harsh.
– She would have rather seen that she had to pay this off instead of being sentenced to a prison sentence, given her age and faltering health. It has taken a toll on her and she is very depressed, she says.
In the decision it says that she refused to pay, isn’t that right?
– That is not true. She has limited financial resources, that’s why she didn’t pay. She has not tried to do anything to avoid paying.
The decision will be appealed in the near future and Frida Larsson believes that it would be very stressful for the woman to spend time behind bars.
– She herself feels that she has no opportunity. She is old and has health concerns and she can’t see for herself that she would be able to handle it, she says.