Windsor Castle car park Ticket

Coupon-mad

vax2002 wrote: »

All I know is the last guy who cut one off in Leeds was given a £30 fine by magistrates.
They wanted £285 to un clamp him

It's a good point that there are cheaper ways to remove a clamp than paying the scammers!

Surely most locksmiths picking the lock would be cheaper? Possibly a friendly local garage who know the car owner would collect the vehicle and remove the wheel & clamp for less than a scammer's shocking charge? And in both cases the offending clamp could be handed in at a Police station in order to get a receipt or written proof that no damage was done nor any intent to deprive the knuckle-draggers of their toy permanently. If the clamp was unlawful then you could always sue the clamper/landowner for a refund of the locksmith or garage cost, safe in the knowledge that you have not lined the clamper's pocket.

I think I would get a friend to cut a clamp's padlock off rather than pay clampers. There have been cases where the Court has decided that there's no case to answer for criminal damage if it's the motorist's honest belief that the clamp was unlawfully applied (i.e. a trespass on the car). Such as this recent case:

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/8980822.Woolworths_developer_who_cut_off_wheel_clamp_wins_court_battle/

But as you say, even if a Court doesn't agree, then if the damage is just to the padlock then surely the penalty for that damage is going to be very low.

esmerobbo

It would be my choice of dealing with the clamp, however it seems they have two monkeys sitting off in a van in this particular car park. Honeypot me thinks.

However they have been known to pay CCJ's:eek:

Coupon-mad

esmerobbo wrote: »

It would be my choice of dealing with the clamp, however it seems they have two monkeys sitting off in a van in this particular car park. Honeypot me thinks.

However they have been known to pay CCJ's:eek:

They couldn't stop you getting a locksmith to pick the lock though, without damage. They could rant and rave and call the Police but if no damage is done then tough. Of course you'd have to warn the locksmith not to park there!

esmerobbo

The problem is as you were taking one off, they would be putting another one on, it would be like a merry go round. Be interesting to see who give in first.:rotfl:

muckybutt

esmerobbo wrote: »

The problem is as you were taking one off, they would be putting another one on, it would be like a merry go round. Be interesting to see who give in first.:rotfl:

Wonder what the bib would think to that ? they could possibly stop them doing it to prevent a breach of the peace ?
On the other hand you have been clamped for one "offence (used lightly)" therefore if they clamp you again you could argue the toss with the bib that the second clamp is illegal as you have already been clamped and have removed the clamp legally and without damage therefore no release fee is due. I have to admit you would probably be blue in the face by then though !