UKCPS/DRPL following vehicle breakdown

alrubes

My motorbike broke down while I was driving to the mechanic to get it fixed. I pulled over in Gateway House while I tried to start it up again and phone my mechanic. I got a letter a few days later from UKCPS with a photo of me on the bike asking for £60. I appealed it, stating the reason I was stopped. They rejected the appeal with a copy-and-paste reply and zero consideration. Left out of the CCTV photos was footage of me rolling the bike away as it wouldn't start.

Following advice from this thread, I didn't appeal to the IAS and ignored their final notice letter. I'm now getting texts (no letters yet) from Debt Recovery Plus. I panicked and called them, and obviously the guy on the phone was really cocky and rude, and said it looks like I was just sat on my phone texting as the lights were on on my bike (the issue was a flooded engine and the indicator was stuck on, no issue with the brake lights). 

I now have no option to appeal with the evidence I've recently got hold of (mechanics letter). I told DRPL that I won't be paying the fine and that if they take me to court I have evidence I was broken down.

I spoke to Citizens Advice, who were less than helpful. They said I have two options: pay up or go to court. I suffer from major anxiety and was crying on the phone to CAB, and they acted like I was wasting their time.

My question is, what do I do in the circumstance they do actually take me to court? What's the process they have to follow?

Secondly, what effect is this likely to have on my credit score?

Finally, what do I do if they start court proceedings? Can I then appeal using the evidence I have?

alrubes

Also, does anyone have contact info for the owner of Gateway House so I can try to contact them with the evidence?

Le_Kirk

We always point first requesters to the NEWBIE sticky as it is your go-to place to answer all your questions.  Auntie Google is your friend, ask her about the owners of Gateway House or the local council to see who pay the non-domestic business rates.

Fruitcake

Never, ever phone or take a call or text from a scammer or their scam agents.

Ignore debt collectors. The fourth post of the NEWBIES explains all this.

CAB are useful for some things, but give very bad and out of date advice concerning PCNs.

Perhaps if you told us where Gateway House is (Manchester?) it would help. 

If it is the scam site at Manchester then you should search for the thread specific to that location.

alrubes

Fruitcake said:

Never, ever phone or take a call or text from a scammer or their scam agents.

Can I ask why? Have I shot myself in the foot because I called them back?

Perhaps if you told us where Gateway House is (Manchester?) it would help. 

If it is the scam site at Manchester then you should search for the thread specific to that location.

It is Manchester, yes. Behind Piccadilly station. Which thread are you referring to? 

Umkomaas

My question is, what do I do in the circumstance they do actually take me to court? What's the process they have to follow?

DRP can't take you to court, only UKCPS could do that. They would have to serve a formal Letter of Claim, followed by a court claim via the Northampton CCBC. While this is now with debt collectors, you can ignore anything from them. If you receive either of the two documents above, come back on this thread for further advice. Chances of this happening - remote. 

Secondly, what effect is this likely to have on my credit score?

None whatsoever.  It would need to go to court, you lose, then you refuse to pay the amount ordered by the Judge by the deadline given. Not even worth you giving it another second's consideration!

Stop worrying. There is already a very long thread running on this issue at Piccadilly, so please have a thorough read of it and follow the advice issued there. There have been dozens of victims of this UKCPS trap. The main point is you will not be paying anything if you follow the advice. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6071461/ukcps-no-stopping-parking-charge/p1

Fruitcake

alrubes said:

Fruitcake said:

Never, ever phone or take a call or text from a scammer or their scam agents.

Can I ask why? Have I shot myself in the foot because I called them back?

Perhaps if you told us where Gateway House is (Manchester?) it would help. 

If it is the scam site at Manchester then you should search for the thread specific to that location.

It is Manchester, yes. Behind Piccadilly station. Which thread are you referring to? 

A 'phone call is not worth the paper upon which it is writ. The scammers on the other hand will have recorded the conversation. Any admission of guilt on your part or revealing the driver's identity will be used against you. Anything they say that may help your case will be deleted or never produced or denied.
Debt collectors have no powers to do anything save sending out poor quality bog paper. You are wasting your time communicating with someone like that.

I am talking about the Manchester Piccadilly Gateway House, UKCPS thread. Do a search for those key words. The search facility on here is now crap due to a disastrous upgrade, using variations of upper/lower case and spelling.
Alternatively do an internet search use those keywords plus MSE or moneysavingexpert in the search box.

D_P_Dance

Have you complained to your MP?

Umkomaas

D_P_Dance said:

Have you complained to your MP?

And add the Mayor of Mancasterbridge - Andy Burn 'em!

Coupon-mad

Manchester Judges are generally clued up about PPC scams.  Add to that, the fact the signs and lines here do not communicate a 'no stopping zone' and anyone who does get a claim in the end about this location can certainly see it through to a win in court (and costs, hopefully).

alrubes

D_P_Dance said:

Have you complained to your MP?

I haven't, but I'm going to. I'll add Andy Burnham in there too. 

I do think I have a strong case. I now have a letter from my mechanic stating I contacted them on that day for assistance, and eBay receipts for parts I had to buy to fix the issues. 

This is a huge test for my mental health, but with the help of the people on this forum I'm gonna push through and fight it.