Break-in bailiff banned (From Croydon Guardian)

Break-in bailiff banned

11:46am Sunday 29th July 2007 in News By Gemma Wheatley

A bully bailiff who forced his way into a Croydon family's home has had his licence revoked.

Julie Sutton, 41, and her partner David were terrified when self-employed Nathan Bachelor, working for Equita, woke them up and forced his way into their Addiscombe home.

The debt collectors were looking for the previous residents of their Greencourt Avenue home, who had failed to pay a £50 parking fine issued by Croydon Council.

The men from the Northampton-based company also woke up the couple's three-year-old daughter Melody and refused to leave when asked.

They then unplugged electrical appliances and threatened to take them away, despite being told repeatedly that the people they were looking for had gone. It was only when the police were called the men left the house.

Northampton County Court took action against Equita and Mr Bachelor was called to explain his actions.

“We are really pleased that it all worked out. The main fact about all of this is that parking regulations are abysmal. All I can hope is that this particular issue has now been resolved so we won’t be bothered again.”

Julie Sutton

Last week a judge took away his licence and Ms Sutton and her family were awarded £2,000 compensation.

She said: "It really was an awful situation to get into over a parking ticket. We were not going to let them get away with it. If we had been elderly or disabled then all of this could have been a completely different issue - it is outrageous this can happen when it was not even our parking ticket."

The family is now celebrating its victory and planning to spend its compensation on new items for the house.

Ms Sutton added: "We are really pleased that it all worked out. The main fact about all of this is that parking regulations are abysmal. All I can hope is that this particular issue has now been resolved so we won't be bothered again."