A driver emerged victorious in a legal battle against a leading parking company after a peculiar dispute spanning five years over a £1 parking fee. Nigel Richardson challenged Euro Car Parks after being persistently pursued for the £1 debt, despite having already paid for his parking. The 71-year-old parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leics., in 2020 but encountered issues with the card payment machines, leading him to attempt payment via a mobile app, which did not confirm the transaction. Despite notifying the parking firm of the situation and offering to settle the potential debt, he was slapped with a £100 fine instead.
Despite providing evidence of his online payment, Mr. Richardson faced escalating fines and threats of court action from debt collection agencies over the next four years. Refusing to yield, he represented himself at Leicester County Court on July 11 and was awarded £200 in compensation by a judge who acknowledged the unjust fines and absence of any outstanding debt. After accounting for court costs of £180, Mr. Richardson was left with a modest £20 gain following the protracted ordeal, remarking, “A win is a win.”
Reflecting on his ordeal, Mr. Richardson emphasized his determination to stand his ground, highlighting his efforts to resolve the payment issue and his refusal to succumb to unwarranted fines. Despite attempts to settle the matter, including an offer to drop the case for £60 and a non-disclosure agreement, Mr. Richardson opted to pursue the legal route to seek compensation for the time and effort expended in presenting his case.
In court, the inadequacy of Euro Car Parks’ pursuit of the baseless debt was exposed, with the judge ultimately awarding Mr. Richardson a compensation of £200. Despite the nominal gain after covering court costs, Mr. Richardson remained steadfast in his pursuit of justice, emphasizing the importance of upholding principles.
This legal saga unfolded against a backdrop of record-high figures revealing that private parking companies issued a staggering 14.4 million tickets to British motorists in 2024/25, underscoring the need for vigilance and consumer protection in such circumstances.