Woman convicted of illegal clamping

28/04/2008

Today, at Stafford Crown Court, Rebecca Meakin, 27, was found guilty of conspiracy to blackmail in relation to an illegal clamping business she ran from January and the end of May 2006.

Kamran Khan, 28, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing in March to the same offence.

The pair clamped cars that had parked in the Red Lion pub car park in Rugely, LA Rock Cafe and Midlands Tattoo Centre in Cannock and a furniture shop car park in Worcester.

Demands for a large release fee were made to victims they had clamped, some even when they were still in the car and if the clamping fee was not paid in full in cash they told people that there cars would be taken to a depot miles away, when they were actually hidden a very short distance away.

Speaking after the trial, Ian Pinkney, Senior Crown Prosecutor said:
"These people ran a clamping business characterised by intimidation and dishonesty. If it is done properly then clamping is a legitimate business but if it is done improperly then it becomes a serious criminal offence."

Sentencing will take place at Stafford Crown Court at a later date.