Discussion Thread: Lincolnshire driver's £14,000 parking fine is 'Britain's biggest'

[DragonFly1967]

For discussion.

 

 

A Lincolnshire driver has racked up almost £14,000 of parking debts after ignoring more than 140 tickets.

 

Sc ampton man David Lee's bill is one of the highest ever recorded in the UK – and was built up after he repeatedly broke rules, often by parking in disabled spaces.

 

He has already been served with four county court judgments totalling more than £3,000 by Leeds-based firm UK Car Park Solutions.

 

Now the firm intends to issue a further £10,000 worth of charges before the courts, as well as costs.

 

It comes after the motorist was served with more than 140 tickets across Lincoln's car parks in just over a year.

 

The total bill is higher than that racked up by footballer Mario Balotelli, who was hit with nearly £10,000 in parking fines.

 

Mr Lee's vehicle, a Ford Mondeo, was often ticketed for being parked across disabled bays.

 

Unpaid and damaged parking tickets were also left on the car's dashboard, with a notice labelling the Leeds firm as "UK Car Park sc ammers" and another claiming that the charges were unenforceable.

 

Steve Hall, UKCPS legal manager, said: "This is one of the highest parking charge debts to be served on a single motorist in the UK for parking on private land.

 

"Four of the undefended county court judgements amount to £3,265, with an additional £10,000 still to be issued. The vehicle was often parked across more than one bay. On many occasions, the charges were for parking out of marked bays and without authority.

 

"The vehicle dashboard was clearly visible for all passing people to see, scattered with unpaid parking tickets.

 

"UKCPS have had letters returned to us by Mr Lee after being cut up into small pieces.

 

"Staff have reconstructed the relevant section of the pages to discover the parking charge numbers referred back to the vehicle."

 

Mr Lee, of Rutland Way, finally attended Lincoln County Court earlier this month.

 

However, UKCPS say they have yet to receive any money from Mr Lee who, despite attempts by the Echo to contact him, remained unavailable for comment.

 

Despite many motorists believing that UKCPS has no powers to enforce the charges, once their contractual warning signs are up and an agreement signed with the landowner or their agent, parking charge notices can be issued.

 

By parking on land that UKCPS patrols, drivers enter into a contract. The firm is entitled to pursue the driver and, in certain circumstances, the registered keeper of the vehicle.

 

Motorists do have a legal right of appeal and this information is included in the parking charge notice.

 

A spokeswoman for the BPA said: "UKCPS are a member of our organisation and operate under our code of practice.

 

"They have every right to take people to court."

 

Beverly Blenkinsop, vice- chairman of the Hilt Disability Foundation (Lincs) Ltd, said: "Disabled parking bays are for the disabled."

 

 

Such a shame that Mr Lee didn't come here for help with each and every one of the tickets. Between us, we'd have cost UKCPS a small fortune in POPLA fees alone

[citizenB]

If he is parking in disabled bays and he is not disabled, then I rather suspect that there will be few who would be sympathetic.

[Sparks_]

He was parked across disabled bays! So not just taking up 1 space, he deserves all he gets, another person who thinks they can do what they like where they like!

[DragonFly1967]

If he is parking in disabled bays and he is not disabled, then I rather suspect that there will be few who would be sympathetic.

 

But in a private car park, disabled bays mean nothing. Whilst I appreciate what you're saying in as much as morally (if nothing else) they should be left free for the use of those that are disabled. They're only enforceable on a public highway, and I believe, in local authority car parks.

[silverfox1961]

This person makes a mockery of all the work we (and others) do to bring the car park scroungers to book. From reading the article above, it seems he knows the rules and is determined to flout any or all of them. This helps no-one!

 

If he were to register with CAG, he would be unlikely to get much sympathy and end up being told to be considerate to other car users. Only when he got a ticket after doing what he thought was the right thing would anyone help.

[ploddertom]

He is fortunate they have not taken further enforcement action as that could very well result in him having his car taken. If he hasn't defended then he deserves everything that follows, maybe he is now realising what a c**p credit record he will have.

[Billy's mate]

I appreciate that disabled spaces mean nothing in private car parks, but I have little or no sympathy for people who do this in private car parks or on public roads. Sorry.

[Old Snowy]

I would not wish anyone to think for a minute that I condone in any way what this chap has done.

 

However, given UKCPS' record I am frankly amazed that they have let this drag on for as long as they have. They are under an obligation (as are all potential litigants) to minimise their loses and, if they truly believed in the righteousness of their case and have the full support of their principal, why had they not issued proceedings well before now and, perhaps applied for a civil restraining order?

 

I find this all somewhat fishy.

[citizenB]

I would not wish anyone to think for a minute that I condone in any way what this chap has done.

 

However, given UKCPS' record I am frankly amazed that they have let this drag on for as long as they have. They are under an obligation (as are all potential litigants) to minimise their loses and, if they truly believed in the righteousness of their case and have the full support of their principal, why had they not issued proceedings well before now and, perhaps applied for a civil restraining order?

 

I find this all somewhat fishy.

 

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Driver-s-pound-14-000-parking-fine-Britain-s/story-22905144-detail/story.html

 

Snowy, I think they have already taken him to court and he has been served with 4 County Court Judgments already.

 

 

 

He has already been served with four county court judgments totalling more than £3,000 by Leeds-based firm UK Car Park Solutions.

Now the firm intends to issue a further £10,000 worth of charges before the courts, as well as costs.

 

 

[scouserat]

"Staff have reconstructed the relevant section of the pages to discover the parking charge numbers referred back to the vehicle."

Business can't be that good if they can't afford proper jigsaw puzzles.

[Old Snowy]

http://www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk/Driver-s-pound-14-000-parking-fine-Britain-s/story-22905144-detail/story.html

 

Snowy, I think they have already taken him to court and he has been served with 4 County Court Judgments already.

I think you may have missed my point.

 

I'm well aware that UKCPS have issued proceedings but why dd it take them this long before they did so - that was my point. I remain of the view that there is something very fishy about this case.

[diskmandave]

+1 Old Snowy