A woman in her 70s baked and sold buns and bread at cost price on social media. This was disapproved by the municipality, which tried to stop the baking enthusiast’s hobby by imposing a hefty fine of 130,000 SEK. The woman refused to pay the fines and continued baking, leading to her imprisonment.
In 2020, the retired woman from Norrbotten, who is both a mother and grandmother, began pursuing her passion for baking while embracing the use of social media. She found it so enjoyable that she continued the following year.
However, the fun came to an abrupt end when the municipality imposed a fine of 130,000 SEK for not complying with the order to cease her hobby. What upset the municipal officials was that the woman sold her baked goods to her social media followers.
Not allowed to sell at cost price
The fact that the woman only sold at cost price, i.e., only charged for the expenses she incurred, did not matter. The bread and buns were left to dry and mold rather than spread culinary joy to others.
Eating up everything she baked was not a realistic option. She has been able to give some to her grandchildren, and some she has frozen. But with her great interest in baking, there has still been a surplus of buns and other items.
Refusal to pay and stop baking
The woman did not think it was reasonable for the municipality to demand that she stop baking. Therefore, she refused to both stop baking and to pay the high fines.
The municipality continued to send reminders about the hefty fine and ordered the woman to turn off the oven and put away the baking table. On her part, the woman continued to ignore the municipality’s demands and admonitions.
The fine turns into imprisonment
In this “chicken race,” it was ultimately the woman who lost. The individual is always at a disadvantage against the state and municipality. Now, the 70-year-old bun baker must enter prison.
The woman must serve one and a half months. If a person refuses to pay a fine in the manner that occurred in this case, it can be converted into a custodial sentence.
“It has taken a very hard toll on her, and she is very downcast,” says the 70-year-old woman’s defense attorney in a comment to TV4.
Will appeal the verdict
The attorney further states that it is unreasonable for the municipality to act in such a heavy-handed manner against a pensioner who has only baked bread and posted her baking on Facebook. She believes that much more serious matters are required to warrant a prison sentence.
Therefore, the woman will appeal the verdict. Serving time behind bars would be too demanding both physically and mentally.
“She is old and has health problems, and she cannot see herself being able to cope with it,” the defense attorney explains.