Barred spouse bullied wife to run sham firm

THE wife of a "bully" car clamper who was convicted of operating illegally has been banned from being a company director.

Linda Watson admitted being the sole director of Clamping Enforcement Agency Ltd and allowing husband Iain, below, to continue clamping and seeking payment.

Chester Crown Court heard yesterday Mr Watson was not licensed by the Security Industry Association and was therefore banned from carrying out any regulated activities of that kind.

The 32-year-old former doorman from Crewe was ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work in November after admitting demanding payment for the release of vehicles despite not holding a licence.

He had previously been convicted of 20 offences of false representation in carrying out wheel clamping in 2008 and was ordered to pay £8,000 back to victims.

Peter Moss, prosecuting yesterday, said the operation was "a sham" designed to allow Mr Watson to carry on as a clamper.

Mr Moss told the court: "The defendant secured an SIA licence and employed her husband as a driver, but he simply couldn't help himself and continued to clamp cars and demand payment."

The court was told Mrs Watson, who now has a young son, was pregnant when her husband asked her in "strong terms" to become the director of the business.

Andrew Baker, defending, said: "Her husband has been the main source of her problems. He is a man who walks around wearing a stab-proof vest with a camera attached, relishing wearing the badge of a wheel clamper and is described as 'overbearing'.

"Mrs Watson was subordinated by her husband and, in April 2008, she acquiesced, becoming company director.

"Together they have extensive debts with credit cards and loans amounting to £16,000, a mortgage of £650, as well as the £8,000 Mr Watson was ordered to pay back to his victims."

Mr Baker added Mrs Watson was a woman of "impeccable character" whose good name had been marked by yesterday's conviction for providing security industry services through an unlicensed operative.

Mr Watson spent thousands of pounds setting up the business, but was refused a clamping licence from the Security Industry Authority in November 2007 because he had a caution for burglary in 2003.

Mrs Watson, aged 28, received a conditional discharge for two years and was also banned from being the director of a company for two years.

Judge Ian Trigger told her: "You became the director of the company at the behest of your husband who has been a controlling influence over you – a bully.

"He seemed to obtain a curious sense of enjoyment from clamping activity. He continued to act as a direct force in that activity which required him to have a licence but because of his criminality it was taken away from him.

"But you allowed him to continue to work illegally. I accept there was substantial pressure on you, and that your husband bullied you like he did the poor car owners."

A court order was made that the Watson's address could not be reported as threats had been made towards them.