Car clamper is locked up

A cowboy car clamper who tried to con Black Country motorists out of more than £32,000 in illegal fines has been jailed for six months in a landmark case.

Clifton Hoffman ticketed at least 280 drivers and charged them up to £450 to recover impounded vehicles, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Cars were towed away within 20 minutes of being clamped by staff from his firm Midland Parking Solutions on sites all over the city.

Hoffman, who has previous convictions for violence and firearms offences, employed bouncers to intimidate victims.

When one explained he had no experience of clamping he was told by 41-year-old Hoffman "All I need is your presence," said Mr Glyn Samuel, prosecuting.

The firm, operating from Sun Street in 2008, had no licence to clamp vehicles and issued illegally copied Wolverhampton City Council parking tickets.

Hoffman targeted motorists despite warnings from Trading Standards. At least 280 drivers were 'fined' in 12 months.

Fines ranged from £60 for a parking ticket to £125 for clamping and up to £450 - £65 more than the maximum allowed for legitimate businesses - to recover impounded vehicles.

Hoffman, of Riches House, Whitmore Reans, admitted 19 charges of misleading and aggressive commercial practices and a similar number of offences committed by his firm which has since stopped trading.

Recorder Michael Elsom said: "The public is entitled to protection from those who conduct this kind of business in an illegal and aggressive fashion."