A CLAMPING company was fined £1,000 after trying to charge a driver a tow release fee for a car which had not been towed.

Hexagon Parking Control Ltd pleaded guilty to giving a misleading price indication and to two charges of not giving correct company details after a motorist complained that his car had been clamped when parked illegally at the rear of Bridge Road, Wembley.

The driver, who had only been parked for ten minutes, was forced to pay £100 for a clamp release fee, a £75 call out fee plus a £200 tow away fee as he feared the car would be taken.

The clamping company also had to pay £1,425 in costs and give £200 by way of compensation to the driver.

Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service investigated the case and took Hexagon Parking Control Ltd to court.

Nagender Singh Bilon, director of trading standards for Brent and Harrow, said: "Businesses have a duty to treat consumers fairly and only charge for services they have actually performed.

"People do have a right to protect their property from illegal parking but fair and equitable means of protection should be used."