Company cleared in parking fraud case

The London company charged with attempted fraud by sending letters claiming parking penalty charges, citing legislation that does not apply in Scotland, has been cleared due to insufficient evidence.

Civil Enforcement Ltd faced 11 charges that alleged it sent the letters to drivers who parked at various locations in Aberdeenshire, claiming that the charges were enforceable against them under schedule 4 to the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, when it knew that the Act does not apply to Scotland.

However at the close of the Crown case in Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday, defence advocate Craig Findlater made a submission of no case to answer, on the basis of lack of corroboration of some charges and absence of evidence concerning others in which the motorists concerned had not been led as witnesses. 

Sheriff Edward Savage agreed and acquitted the company on all charges.