East End Car trader gets parking ticket—for car he didn’t own
CAR TRADER Jim Byrns had bailiffs turn up at his office chasing a parking ticket fine for a vehicle his company never owned. The bailiffs demanded �681 for the �183 penalty charge
CAR TRADER Jim Byrns had bailiffs turn up at his office chasing a parking ticket fine for a vehicle his company never owned.
The bailiffs demanded �681 for the �183 penalty charge. The extra included �242 'removal' charge, �192 bailiffs' fee and �64.80 tax.
He was so shocked he called police to his Gatehouse Cars business in East London-but they advised him to pay up.
Now he is having to fight through the courts if he is ever to see his money again.
COURT
"It's not my debt-but I've had to fork out," he told the East London Advertiser.
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"I'm not happy. I've got to go to court now to try and get the money back."
The bailiffs working for Tower Hamlets council first called at his old office in Hackney, but he moved a year ago.
They finally caught up with him and turned up at his new premises in Wickford Street in Stepney last week.
CONFIRMED
Yet the LDVA licensing agency confirmed he did not own the vehicle, according to Mr Byrns.
Tower Hamlets council said his company did not make representation against the penalty charge, despite correspondence.
"Had they done so, the case would not have progressed," said a Town Hall spokesman. "The case was passed to bailiffs for 'recovery' in accordance with legislation."
Bailiff fees and removal charges are set by the courts that licence them. The council only uses firms of bailiffs to recover debts on their behalf.
