Five jailed over car clamping scam

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22 February 2012 at 12:00

The ringleaders of an illegal car clamping company have been sentenced to prison after conning drivers out of around £500,000.

Andrew Minshull, who ran Redditch-based Midland Parking Contracts, frequently targeted vulnerable motorists and used them as "a licence to print money", Worcester Crown Court heard.

Minshull, 38, of Hatfield Close, Redditch, was jailed for 32 months by Judge John Cavell.

Minshull's former partner Debbie Worton, 43, was handed a 12-month sentence for her involvement in the scam. Worton, of Longdon Close, Redditch, was described in court as the "public face of the company".

Three others were also sentenced to prison over their part in the scheme.

Simon Barry, 38, of Lilac Close, Evesham, took part in clamping and liaised with landowners during the scam, the court heard. He was given a 21-month jail term.

Christopher Cartwright, 31, of Salisbury Drive, Kidderminster and Faisal Qadeer, 35, of Mount Pleasant, Redditch, were jailed for 15 months. The pair selected victims in their roles as frontline operatives, the court was told.

All five defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at an earlier hearing last month.

Copyright Press Association 2012