Latest news with #NigelRichardson
The Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Motorist, 71, wins bizarre FIVE-year legal battle with major parking firm – over £1 ticket he had already paid
A 71-YEAR-OLD motorist has emerged victorious from a bizarre five-year legal battle over a £1 parking ticket. Nigel Richardson took on Euro Car Parks in court after the firm pursued him over the £1 debt for nearly half a decade. 6 6 The semi-retired former business owner has since claimed victory in the David and Goliath battle after taking on a barrister while representing himself at Leicester County Court on July 11. Nigel parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leicestershire back in 2020 but had no change on him and the card payment machines weren't working. He paid for his parking using a mobile phone but then received no notification telling him the payment had been successful. Mr Richardson wrote to the firm to explain what had happened and that he might owe them a quid, they responded by slapping him with a £100 fine. Later, Nigel found the receipt for his payment and thought that would be the end of the matter. Over the next four years however he was hounded by debt collection companies, receiving letters threatening him with court action. The fine more than doubled to £230 as well with Nigel refusing to back down. At court Mr Richardson took on a barrister himself and was awarded £200 in compensation by a judge who agreed he had been unfairly fined. Nigel then had to pay court costs of £180 leaving him just £20 better off after the five-year dispute. Nigel of Rearsby, Leicestershire, said: "A win is a win. Driver gets instant karma after lobbing £50 parking ticket on the floor "The simple thing would have been to just pay the fine but I knew I had nothing wrong. "I made every effort to buy a ticket but their machines weren't accepting card payments and I wasn't going to be bullied into paying the fine. " When I used the app I had notification the money had come out. I even tried to call a number to do it over the phone but that didn't work either. "I went to the shop to try and get change but they were closed early on a Wednesday, so I didn't know what more I could do. 6 6 "I know what these companies can be like so I even contacted them to explain what happened and to see if I could pay the £1 if the app hadn't worked. "But the next thing I know a fine comes through and then you have to start an appeals process. "But then I found the receipt for the £1 which had gone to my junk folder - so I thought great, here's the proof there's no debt to pay. "But even when I pointed that out, they said I hadn't raised this at the appeal stage, so they kept on. "Various debt collection companies and solicitors started sending threatening letters warning about county court proceedings. "When I wrote to DCB Legal, who were pursuing the debt, I told them I'd got the receipt now and they said it was up to Euro Car Parks to drop it. "I wrote to Euro Car Parks and they told me it was up to DCB. "DCB said they would see me in court, so I said, 'bring it on' and I launched a counterclaim. "I had the bit between my teeth by then and there was no way I was going to give up." Nigel later revealed that the firm said they would drop the case if he agreed to pay £60 and sign a confidentiality agreement. 6 6 When confronted with the offer Mr Richardson said no to the parking company. He said: "I said no and I knew at this point they were starting to back down as the next thing I know they were talking about dropping the entire case. "But after four years and a lot of my time, I thought I was entitled to some compensation so we ended up in court. "They offered me £130 but I decided to go to court instead as I had spent many hours writing letters. "I looked up what a junior barrister charges and its like £100 an hour so I decided to claim for £2,480 which I think was very reasonable as I'd spent about 100 hours representing myself. "In court the judge asked the Euro Car Parks barrister why I was being pursued for a debt I didn't owe and he said he 'hadn't been instructed about that'. "He was fumbling through his documents and looking at his phone for an answer but that was all he could say. "In the end the compensation was settled at £200 but after paying £180 costs I only ended up with £20." about the principle."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Motorist's five-year legal battle with parking firm over £1 ticket
Nigel Richardson, 71, has won a court case after being relentlessly pursued by Euro Car Parks for a £1 debt which he didn't even owe as he had already paid for his parking at Syston, Leicestershire in 2020 A motorist has won a David and Goliath legal battle with a major parking firm following a bizarre five-year row over a £1 parking ticket. Nigel Richardson took on Euro Car Parks after being relentlessly pursued over the £1 debt - which he didn't even owe as he had paid for his parking. The 71-year-old had parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leics., back in 2020 but had no change on him and the card payment machines were not working. He then tried using the mobile phone app - but received no notification to say the payment had been successful. Mr Richardson even wrote to the firm to explain what had happened and that he might owe them a quid - but they responded by fining him £100. He later found the receipt for his online transaction, thinking that would be the end of the matter now he could prove he had paid. But over the next four years debt collection companies started sending him letters threatening court action and the fines increased to £230. Determined Mr Richardson refused to back down and ended up taking on a barrister while representing himself at Leicester County Court on July 11. There he was awarded £200 in compensation by a judge who agreed he had been unfairly fined and had no debt to pay. However, after paying court costs of £180 - Mr Richardson is only £20 better off following the five year ordeal but says: "A win is a win". Mr Richardson, of Rearsby, Leics., said: "The simple thing would have been to just pay the fine but I knew I had nothing wrong. I made every effort to buy a ticket but their machines weren't accepting card payments and I wasn't going to be bullied into paying the fine. " When I used the app I had notification the money had come out. I even tried to call a number to do it over the phone but that didn't work either. I went to the shop to try and get change but they were closed early on a Wednesday, so I didn't know what more I could do. "I know what these companies can be like so I even contacted them to explain what happened and to see if I could pay the £1 if the app hadn't worked. But the next thing I know a fine comes through and then you have to start an appeals process. But then I found the receipt for the £1 which had gone to my junk folder - so I thought great, here's the proof there's no debt to pay. "But even when I pointed that out, they said I hadn't raised this at the appeal stage, so they kept on. Various debt collection companies and solicitors started sending threatening letters warning about county court proceedings. "When I wrote to DCB Legal, who were pursuing the debt, I told them I'd got the receipt now and they said it was up to Euro Car Parks to drop it. I wrote to Euro Car Parks and they told me it was up to DCB. DCB said they would see me in court, so I said, 'bring it on' and I launched a counterclaim. I had the bit between my teeth by then and there was no way I was going to give up." Mr Richardson, a semi-retired former business owner of an interiors company, said the firm later said they would drop the case if he paid £60 and signed a confidentiality agreement. He added: "I said no and I knew at this point they were starting to back down as the next thing I know they were talking about dropping the entire case. But after four years and a lot of my time, I thought I was entitled to some compensation so we ended up in court. "They offered me £130 but I decided to go to court instead as I had spent many hours writing letters. I looked up what a junior barrister charges and its like £100 an hour so I decided to claim for £2,480 which I think was very reasonable as I'd spent about 100 hours representing myself. "In court the judge asked the Euro Car Parks barrister why I was being pursued for a debt I didn't owe and he said he 'hadn't been instructed about that'. He was fumbling through his documents and looking at his phone for an answer but that was all he could say. In the end the compensation was settled at £200 but after paying £180 costs I only ended up with £20." He joked: "I had planned to go on a cruise but nevermind, a win is a win and it was all about the principle." The case comes after figures revealed last month private parking companies issued a record 14.4 million tickets to Brit motorists in 2024/25.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Wales Online
Motorist wins bizarre five-year legal battle over £1 parking ticket
Motorist wins bizarre five-year legal battle over £1 parking ticket Nigel Richardson took Euro Car Parks to court after he was relentlessly pursued over the £1 debt Nigel Richardson is celebrating his win over Euro Car Parks A motorist has won a David and Goliath legal battle with a major parking firm following a bizarre five-year row - over a £1 parking ticket. Nigel Richardson took on Euro Car Parks after he was relentlessly pursued over the £1 debt - which he did not even owe as he had paid for his parking. The 71-year-old had parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leicestershire, back in 2020 but had no change on him and the card payment machines were not working. He then tried using the mobile phone app - but received no notification to say the payment had been successful. Mr Richardson even wrote to the firm to explain what had happened and that he might owe them a quid - but they responded by fining him £100. He later found the receipt for his online transaction, thinking that would be the end of the matter now he could prove he had paid. But over the next four years debt collection companies started sending him letters threatening court action and the fines increased to £230. Determined Mr Richardson refused to back down and ended up taking on a barrister while representing himself at Leicester County Court on July 11. The car park in Town Square in Syston, Leicestershire There he was awarded £200 in compensation by a judge who agreed he had been unfairly fined and had no debt to pay. However, after paying court costs of £180, Mr Richardson is only £20 better off following the five year ordeal but says: "A win is a win". Article continues below Mr Richardson, of Rearsby, said: "The simple thing would have been to just pay the fine but I knew I had nothing wrong. I made every effort to buy a ticket but their machines weren't accepting card payments and I wasn't going to be bullied into paying the fine. " When I used the app I had notification the money had come out. I even tried to call a number to do it over the phone but that didn't work either. I went to the shop to try and get change but they were closed early on a Wednesday, so I didn't know what more I could do. "I know what these companies can be like so I even contacted them to explain what happened and to see if I could pay the £1 if the app hadn't worked. But the next thing I know a fine comes through and then you have to start an appeals process. "But then I found the receipt for the £1 which had gone to my junk folder - so I thought great, here's the proof there's no debt to pay. But even when I pointed that out, they said I hadn't raised this at the appeal stage, so they kept on. "Various debt collection companies and solicitors started sending threatening letters warning about county court proceedings. When I wrote to DCB Legal, who were pursuing the debt, I told them I'd got the receipt now and they said it was up to Euro Car Parks to drop it. "I wrote to Euro Car Parks and they told me it was up to DCB. DCB said they would see me in court, so I said, 'bring it on' and I launched a counterclaim. I had the bit between my teeth by then and there was no way I was going to give up." Nigel Richardson had parked up but had no change on him and the card payment machines were not working. He then tried using the mobile phone app - but received no notification to say the payment had been successful Mr Richardson, a semi-retired former business owner of an interiors company, said the firm later said they would drop the case if he paid £60 and signed a confidentiality agreement. He added: "I said no and I knew at this point they were starting to back down as the next thing I know they were talking about dropping the entire case. "But after four years and a lot of my time, I thought I was entitled to some compensation so we ended up in court. They offered me £130 but I decided to go to court instead as I had spent many hours writing letters. "I looked up what a junior barrister charges and its like £100 an hour so I decided to claim for £2,480 which I think was very reasonable as I'd spent about 100 hours representing myself. In court the judge asked the Euro Car Parks barrister why I was being pursued for a debt I didn't owe and he said he 'hadn't been instructed about that'. "He was fumbling through his documents and looking at his phone for an answer but that was all he could say. In the end the compensation was settled at £200 but after paying £180 costs I only ended up with £20." He joked: "I had planned to go on a cruise but nevermind, a win is a win and it was all about the principle." Article continues below The case comes after figures revealed last month private parking companies issued a record 14.4 million tickets to British motorists in 2024/25.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Pensioner beats parking company in court after five-year row over £1
Nigel Richardson, 71, took on Euro Car Parks after he was relentlessly pursued over the £1 debt - which he did not even owe A motorist has emerged victorious in a five-year legal wrangle with a major parking firm over a £1 parking ticket. Nigel Richardson, 71, took on Euro Car Parks after being hounded for the £1 debt, which he did not owe as he had paid for his parking. Back in 2020, Mr Richardson parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leicestershire, but found himself without change and the card payment machines were out of order. He attempted to pay via the mobile phone app, but received no confirmation that the payment had gone through. Despite writing to the company to explain the situation and suggesting he might owe them a pound, it responded by slapping him with a £100 fine. He later discovered the receipt for his online transaction, believing this would put an end to the matter as it proved he had paid. However, over the next four years, debt collection agencies began sending him letters threatening court action, and the fines escalated to £230. Undeterred, Mr Richardson stood his ground, even hiring a barrister and representing himself at Leicester County Court on July 11. The judge agreed that he had been unfairly fined and did not owe any debt, awarding him £200 in compensation. After paying court costs of £180, Mr Richardson is only £20 better off following the five-year ordeal, but as he says: "A win is a win." Mr Richardson, from Rearsby, said: "The simple thing would have been to just pay the fine but I knew I had done nothing wrong. I made every effort to buy a ticket but their machines weren't accepting card payments and I wasn't going to be bullied into paying the fine. " When I used the app I had notification the money had come out. I even tried to call a number to do it over the phone but that didn't work either. I went to the shop to try and get change but they were closed early on a Wednesday, so I didn't know what more I could do. "I know what these companies can be like so I even contacted them to explain what happened and to see if I could pay the £1 if the app hadn't worked. But the next thing I know a fine comes through and then you have to start an appeals process. "But then I found the receipt for the £1 which had gone to my junk folder - so I thought great, here's the proof there's no debt to pay. But even when I pointed that out, they said I hadn't raised this at the appeal stage, so they kept on. "Various debt collection companies and solicitors started sending threatening letters warning about county court proceedings. When I wrote to DCB Legal, who were pursuing the debt, I told them I'd got the receipt now and they said it was up to Euro Car Parks to drop it. "I wrote to Euro Car Parks and they told me it was up to DCB. DCB said they would see me in court, so I said, 'bring it on' and I launched a counterclaim. I had the bit between my teeth by then and there was no way I was going to give up." Mr Richardson, a semi-retired former business owner of an interiors company, said the firm later said they would drop the case if he paid £60 and signed a confidentiality agreement. He added: "I said no and I knew at this point they were starting to back down as the next thing I know they were talking about dropping the entire case. "But after four years and a lot of my time, I thought I was entitled to some compensation so we ended up in court. They offered me £130 but I decided to go to court instead as I had spent many hours writing letters. "I looked up what a junior barrister charges and its like £100 an hour so I decided to claim for £2,480 which I think was very reasonable as I'd spent about 100 hours representing myself. In court the judge asked the Euro Car Parks barrister why I was being pursued for a debt I didn't owe and he said he 'hadn't been instructed about that'. "He was fumbling through his documents and looking at his phone for an answer but that was all he could say. In the end the compensation was settled at £200 but after paying £180 costs I only ended up with £20." He joked: "I had planned to go on a cruise but nevermind, a win is a win and it was all about the principle." This incident follows last month's revelation that private parking firms issued a staggering 14.4 million tickets to British drivers in the 2024/25 period.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Motorist, 71, wins five-year battle with parking firm after he was taken to court over £1 ticket he had already paid
A 71-year-old motorist has won a five-year legal battle with a major parking firm over a £1 ticket that he had already paid for. Nigel Richardson took on Euro Car Parks after he was relentlessly pursued over the alleged £1 debt - even after supplying the firm with the receipt proving he had paid the correct fare at the time. Mr Richardson, from Rearsby, Leicestershire, had parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leicestershire, in 2020 but had no change on him and the card payment machines were not working. He then tried using the mobile phone app - but received no notification to say the payment had been successful, so feared it had not gone through. Honest Mr Richardson wrote to the firm to explain what had happened and that he might owe them £1 - but they responded by immediately fining him £100. He later found the receipt for his online transaction in his junk email folder and sent it to the firm as proof of payment. But over the next four years debt collection companies started sending him letters threatening court action and the fine increased to £230. Semi-retired Mr Richardson refused to back down and ended up opposing a barrister while representing himself at Leicester County Court on July 11. He applied for £2,480 over the ordeal but was ultimately awarded £200 in compensation by a judge who agreed he had been unfairly fined and had no debt to pay. However, after paying court costs of £180, Mr Richardson is only £20 better off following the five year ordeal but said: 'A win is a win'. Mr Richardson continued: 'The simple thing would have been to just pay the fine, but I knew I had done nothing wrong. 'I made every effort to buy a ticket but their machines weren't accepting card payments and I wasn't going to be bullied into paying the fine. 'When I used the app I had a notification the money had come out. I even tried to call a number to do it over the phone but that didn't work either. 'I went to the shop to try and get change but they were closed early on a Wednesday, so I didn't know what more I could do. 'I know what these companies can be like so I even contacted them to explain what happened and to see if I could pay the £1 if the app hadn't worked. 'But the next thing I know a fine comes through and then you have to start an appeals process. 'But then I found the receipt for the £1 which had gone to my junk folder - so I thought great, here's the proof there's no debt to pay. 'But even when I pointed that out, they said I hadn't raised this at the appeal stage, so they kept on [going]. 'Various debt collection companies and solicitors started sending threatening letters warning about county court proceedings. 'When I wrote to DCB Legal, who were pursuing the debt, I told them I'd got the receipt now and they said it was up to Euro Car Parks to drop it. 'I wrote to Euro Car Parks and they told me it was up to DCB. 'DCB said they would see me in court, so I said, "bring it on" and I launched a counterclaim. 'I had the bit between my teeth by then and there was no way I was going to give up.' Mr Richardson, a semi-retired former business owner of an interiors company, said the firm later said they would drop the case if he paid £60 and signed a confidentiality agreement. He added: 'I said no and I knew at this point they were starting to back down as the next thing I know they were talking about dropping the entire case. 'But after four years and a lot of my time, I thought I was entitled to some compensation so we ended up in court. 'They offered me £130 but I decided to go to court instead as I had spent many hours writing letters. 'I looked up what a junior barrister charges and its like £100 an hour so I decided to claim for £2,480 which I think was very reasonable as I'd spent about 100 hours representing myself. 'In court the judge asked the Euro Car Parks barrister why I was being pursued for a debt I didn't owe and he said he "hadn't been instructed about that". 'He was fumbling through his documents and looking at his phone for an answer but that was all he could say. 'In the end the compensation was settled at £200 but after paying £180 costs I only ended up with £20.' He joked: 'I had planned to go on a cruise, but never mind, a win is a win and it was all about the principle.' The case comes after figures revealed last month private parking companies issued a record 14.4 million tickets to British motorists in 2024-25.
