Bromborough mourner’s anger as car is clamped during funeral

Oct 22 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

Bromborough mourner’s anger as car is clamped during funeral

A GRIEVING mourner walked out of a funeral to find his car had been clamped and slapped with a £150 fine.

Peter Corcoran, of Spital Road, Bromborough, was a mourner at the funeral of friend and former colleague Michael Christopher Power, who died from leukaemia at the age of 54 on September 16.

He parked his Mitsubishi pick-up next to black funeral cars near to St Werburgh’s Church, Chester on Monday, September 29 before walking straight into the church, not noticing signs warning of clamping.

Mr Corcoran, former head chef of Ramada Jarvis – where the wake was held – for 32 years, was clamped by a Birkenhead company, DCS, based on Price Street.

He said: “I was in there for 40 minutes before we had to go to the crematorium. When I got out it was clamped.”

A sign in the window explained he would need to pay a £150 fine, or £250 if the car had been towed away.

“I rang and said I’ve just been to a funeral and it’s been a distressing time,” added Mr Corcoran.

“I said I need to get to Chester Crematorium and I need to get there pretty quick.”

He was told the company only took cheques or cash so had to rush to the nearest cashpoint to withdraw the money.

After being given priority by DCS, declampers were waiting for Mr Corcoran when he got back.

His wheel was released only 45 minutes after it had been clamped and despite his pleas for mercy, Mr Corcoran was charged the full fine.

Fortunately for him, there was a delay at the crematorium and he arrived in time for the service there.

The notice warning of clamping was on land owned by BP Assets which is set to become an Ibis hotel.

John Dawson, a junior manager at DCS said: “We cannot comment on individual cases.

“However, our appeals department is there to handle any further action that needs to be taken and will deal with each on a full and fair basis.”

The day after being clamped, the couple sent a letter of appeal to DCS and the appeal process takes 28 days.