Clampers Jailed For 8 Years

Five employees of Midland Parking Contracts have received a total of eight years for conspiracy to commit fraud.

The clamping company based in Redditch is said to have used the public as "a license to print money", with Judge John Cavell condemning them for "milking" the public out of almost £500,000.

Described as the "main man" behind the operation, Andrew Minshull, was jailed for 32 months, with his ex-partner Debbie Worton, "the public face of the company", receiving 12 months.

Simon Barry, who took part in clamping and liaised with landowners, was given 21 months and Christopher Cartwright and Faisal Qadeer, who selected victims, both received 12 months.

Judge Cavell described the companies treatment of drivers between 2006 and 2009 as "disgraceful", adding, "What of course is wholly wrong is the use of enforcement measures not to provide a service to help traders and others suffering from illegally parked cars, but to use the company as a vehicle to obtain money dishonestly from the public by blatant abuse of authority and power."

Operating at 19 sites the company is thought to have earned up to £500,000, charging drivers up to £335 to unclamp their vechiles, and even demanding payments before clamps had been attached. A joint investigation by West Mercia Constabulary and Worcestershire's trading standards was launched after hundreds of complaints.

A sixth defendant, Lloyd Isherwood, has also admitted conspiracy to defraud and will be sentced at a later date.