A DRIVER who refused to leave his car for eight hours over being clamped in a petrol forecourt has been given a refund after he threatened legal action.

Nicholas Taylor insists he was unfairly fined £465 by firm Citywatch while buying a sandwich in the BP garage in Forest Road, Walthamstow and pledged to remain in his car until Citywatch removed the clamp.

The father-of-two, of Bedford Road, Walthamstow, has now received the full amount back from the firm, which offered him an out of court settlement but did not accept liability.

Mr Taylor said: “It is a partial victory. I thought they would have fought it, but I am glad they didn't because I don't have the time and it is very stressful going to court, which is why many people don't pursue it.

“I am pleased to have got the money back and to be vindicated, although they haven't admitted any wrong-doing.”

The Guardian was inundated with complaints about Citywatch, with drivers saying they were being unfairly targeted by the firm after parking in service station forecourts across Waltham Forest.

Mr Taylor, an architectural designer, was supported by the station manager and cheered by passing motorists for taking a stand against the unpopular firm.

And Walthamstow resident, Alan Rumsey, is also celebrating after CES Services Ltd were ordered to give him a refund of £395.

A judge ruled the company unfairly clamped and impounded Mr Rumsey’s car earlier this year. The 49-year-old, of Upper Walthamstow Road, parked his car in what he believed to be a council car park in Cuthbert Road, off Wood Street, with a voucher displayed in the window.

Twenty minutes later the car was clamped, but the judge ruled CES Services Ltd had failed to put adequate signs up showing it was a private car park, ignoring the British Parking Associations Code of Practice.

Mr Rumsey, a bus driver, said: “I am elated. I was determined to go ahead whether it cost me money or not because I wanted to have my say in court.

“I never dodge paying for parking tickets even to buy a pint of milk, so I was shocked when my car was clamped.”