A KEIGHLEY man has spoken of his joy at finally beating a parking firm after three years fighting not to pay a fine.

Excel Parking’s claim against Mohammed Alkas Miah for parking at Cavendish Retail Park was this month thrown out by a judge.

Following the hearing at Skipton County Court, Mr Miah, of Kinara Close, Stockbridge, said he felt “absolute relief” at the outcome.

In February 2016 Mr Miah was served with a £60 penalty notice by Excel Parking after leaving his vehicle in the Cavendish Retail Park car park.

He had just joined the adjacent Sports Direct gym, which offered free use of the car park as part of its membership deal.

Mr Miah said he was shocked to receive the fine a week later, and wrote to Excel to say he was a gym member, and had entered his car registration number on the machine in the car park as requested.

Mr Miah’s appeal against the fine was rejected, and there began months of communication between the two parties that escalated to court action, a gradual increase of the fine to £360, and the involvement of a debt collection agency.

Mr Miah said: “I rang Excel’s litigation department. When they said they were going to take me to court I said ‘bring it on’ and laughed.”

Miah was sent a letter about a court appearance – which he says he did not see – and a County Court Judgement (CCJ) was made against him.

Excel Parking Services continued to pursue Mr Miah for payment of the fine, which led to the case appearing before Skipton County Court on May 20 of this year.

At a subsequent hearing on October 14, the same district judge ordered that Excel’s claim be dismissed and there be no order for costs.

Mr Miah this week said the judge had accepted he had done “everything accordingly”, and added: “I felt absolute relief. I felt like crying, I can’t explain the feeling of satisfaction.

“I want everyone to know about this. People should let it go to court if they know they’re right. It took me three years to do it and it was worthwhile.”

A representative for Excel Parking Services Limited this week told the Keighley News: “It is not appropriate to comment whilst the case is being reviewed for an appeal.”