Church leader takes on clampers

Feb 9 2010 By Jessica Thomas

A YOUTH Church leader has waged war against a wheel clamping firm after being forced to "unfairly" pay them £295 to release his car.

Paul Bethanni, 27, came head to head with staff from Bay Park Management in Power Road, Chiswick on Friday, refusing to move from his car so the firm could tow it.

The minister claims he only stopped on the road for 30 seconds as he ran into a shop to buy a microphone for a special outreach ceremony at his Wembley church.

"There are no signs anywhere," said Paul, speaking from his car mid stand-off.

"There was a sign on the shop door saying I could get a permit from inside and when I returned 30 seconds later it was too late.

"There are currently three guys standing watching me, if I move they will tow my car.

"It's actually quite threatening."

Paul, who was with two friends when the drama unfolded in a Chiswick industrial estate, eventually went to draw the £290 the firm demanded, but only when police arrived on the scene.

"We don't have that sort of money to just give away," said Paul. "We are only a small ministry, that money was intended for a microphone.

"They obviously sit in their van all day waiting to pounce, it's disgusting."

The group of church workers sat in their car from 5pm till 7pm and in that time witnessed a delivery bike get clamped and a car belonging to a pregnant woman who was picking up her husband with her small child.

Paul plans on appealing the charge, which was made up of a £145 fine and £150 for cancelling the tow truck.

Bay Park Management's website shows the company is a trading name of CNJ Contracts Limited and only list a P.O Box address to contact them, for "security reasons".

A police spokesman said: "Police were called to an incident at 5.20pm by a clamper who was having difficulties with some people.

"The matter was resolved by the people paying the fine with no offences disclosed.

"The officer did notice another car was clamped, although it appears the car was clamped quickly, no apparent offences were committed by the clampers."

Bay Park Management did not respond to any of the Chronicles attempts at contact.

Have you had a similar experience with a clamper? Let us know by ringing 0208 538 2206