VCS Caught Issuing PCNs on Public Highway - Hit For £1,000 Counterclaim

bargepole

Case No. H0KF1754, Vehicle Control Services -v- Mr H, at Stockport County Court today (in person) before Deputy District Judge Sellars

Mr H had parked his car on 4 occasions near his workplace, on a public road close to a junction with a private road which was managed by VCS.

They had painted the double yellow lines of the private road around the corner, so that they encroached on to part of the public highway. An FOI request to Cheshire East Council showed that they had been ordered to remove these unlawful extensions, and subsequent photos proved that they had done so.

VCS had issued a claim for 4 x PCNs against Mr H, supported by DCB Legal. I assisted him with the drafting of his Defence, and his Witness Statement - redacted version available here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ru6pkvfu6sdbch5/WS Redacted.pdf?dl=0. The Defence included a counterclaim for 4 x breaches of the Data Protection Act, at £250 each, total £1,000.

It wasn't feasible time or costwise for me to travel to Stockport, so I gave him a briefing on how to conduct his case.

I don't yet have the full report, but he has messaged me to say that the Judge dismissed VCS's claim, and awarded the full amount of the counterclaim, plus his court filing fee.

Apparently this is the second one today where VCS have been hit for 4 figures,

nicestrawb

I've enjoyed catching up on the forum tonight

95Rollers

Surely this is tantamount to Fraud?!?! 

If the victim hadn't been savvy enough to question it or do an FOI he'd have been defrauded of £1000!  Surely there is a case of Criminal Damage to the road, wrongfully obtaining money by deception on the basis they were pursuing these "false" penalty notices they were never authorised or accredited to issue nor entitled to take this money for! 

This needs to be brought up with the local MP and police as its not a simple mistake as VCS are notorious for this. I wonder how many other people have had their money stolen through this scam?!?

Great result for the Victim - BUT this needs to go further. These animals are out of control. Vehicle Corruption Scammers clearly think they are above the law and need to be held to account for their fraud!

nicestrawb

It was an accident your honour, just like the last time when we didn't realise the signs had to be bigger than a postage stamp, and face the right way, or mention something about parking...

Redx

Good news and well done to both of you

Will they learn ??

They were kicked off the Peel Centre in Stockport a couple of years ago , plus also kicked off Ashton Retail Park too

Good riddance I say !

Dcb legal should never have let it get as far as court , unless they just do as they are told ?

D_P_Dance

Woe betide them if they ask that Council for any favours.  Is this a mattter which would be of interest to Trading Standards?

patient_dream

Amazing, makes one wonder why DCBL did not understand what was going on as they led their client VCS to slaughter ?

The DVLA must look further into the activities of VCS

prowla

They're clearly round the bend!

Fruitcake

The motorist should make four separate complaints to the DVLA about the data breaches, then wait for a delivery of four buckets of whitewash before making four separate complaints to the ICO about the DVLA's unlawful data release.

95Rollers

How about a report to the police and council? Wrongfully obtaining and extorting money from motorists they have zero entitlement to!? I think this is personally newsworthy!

fisherjim

95Rollers said:

How about a report to the police and council? Wrongfully obtaining and extorting money from motorists they have zero entitlement to!? I think this is personally newsworthy!

Every single reply will talk of an "admin error" everyone will accept that  as they always do and brush it under the carpet.