Hull man ‘hiding’ his car 25 minutes from home to stop bailiffs seizing it

A man from Hull has resorted to hiding his car in an ongoing fine dispute with Hull City Council.

Luke Wheldon, from Bilton Grange, found out he had two bus lane fines after a bailiff knocked on his door in October saying he had clamped Mr Wheldon’s car.

After asking why, he was told it was because he had two outstanding fines and hadn’t replied to any correspondence with the council.

But Mr Wheldon says he never received the letters about the fines due to removing Royal Mail’s access to his property in 2017.

Shortly after, Luke Wheldon appeared in court to explain his situation.

As a response to this, the council reset one of the fines which was then paid for by Mr Wheldon.

But the 51 year old says that “nothing was done” with the other fine.

The outstanding fine resulted in the bailiffs called upon him once again.

He said: “I paid £30 a few nights ago for one. I would have paid both if they reset both of them. I’m still not going to pay under these circumstances.”

With the bailiffs being reinstated, Mr Wheldon says he is being “forced to be vigilant” and keep his car away from his house.

In an effort to “hold the council accountable”, Luke Wheldon has resorted to parking his car elsewhere and says the whole ordeal has left him “paranoid” when driving out and about.

“I’m having to walk 25 minutes in the cold weather just to get to my car. I can’t leave it outside my house,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned, they’re  attempting to steal my vehicle.”

Mr Wheldon says that the whole situation is impacting his life “greatly.

“It’s wrong, the intention is to take my car away without legal authority.

“The only people who are entitled to do this [impound the car] are the DVLA, or if they [the bailiffs] have a magistrates’ warrant.”

Mr Wheldon says he hasn’t had an “opportunity to contest the standing fine” after the council have “just ignored the correct process.

“What if there’s an emergency and I can’t get to my car? It’s severely affecting my mobility.”

In response, the Hull City Council have said: “The council has written to Mr Wheldon following his complaint against bus lane fines, outlining the requirements set out in the Traffic Management Act.

“We will continue to liaise directly with him about the next phase of his formal complaint.”