JUSTICE officials battling with London’s bad record of offenders being late paying their fines into court have made it easier to pay penalties. Defendants can now pop into their high street post office or the Paypoint machine at the corner newsagent’s

JUSTICE officials battling with London's bad record of offenders being late paying their fines into court have made it easier to pay penalties.

Defendants can now pop into their high street post office or the Paypoint machine at the corner newsagent's and pay by credit or debit card, the Ministry of Justice has announced.

They no longer have the embarrassment of turning up at the magistrates' court to make payments by cash or cheque during restricted court opening hours.

Payments can also now be made over the phone or 24-hours a day online.

The new system is expected to see more offenders paying their fines on time, especially in East London where late-payments are among the highest in the country.

East London has some of Britain's busiest court houses, Thames Magistrates' in the Bow Road, and Snaresbrook crown court with its 20 courtrooms which are hit by late payments.