This is my last message on the subject! Apparently this company don't even get paid by the folks who hire them! Their only income is made by these extremely sharp practices they indulge in. And their threats of litigation are nothing more than mind games. They are an absolute disgrace. Also, because Maplin's management were extremely unsympathetic, I will never shop there again.

Antoninus, If you haven't yet paid up, please be aware of the fact that if your 'crime' was committed after VAT was reduced, then amount payable is not the £70.50 quoted on the ticket, but £69.00. I rang these 'people' today and they immediately conceded this point. If I pay, it will be this amount, less the cost of the phone call, taking it down a little further. They also conceded that it is not necessary to state one's name and address. In my own case, I went to argue with the Maplin's store manager, be he cared not a jot that a regular customer of his is no longer that.

One more point to add to my previous message. The 'fine' of £70.50 includes VAT at an unspecified rate. If one assumes that the A.S.Securi-T Ltd. (stupid name for a company btw) tickets were printed when VAT stood at 17.5%, now that VAT has been reduced to 15%, surely there should be a corresponding reduction in the total amount payable to reflect this. Or have this bunch of jokers conveniently forgotten that?

Hi, I too got caught out in Leicester's Maplins/Staples car park today - having foolishly parked in their (nearly empty) car and going elsewhere for just over an hour, only to return to a ticketed windscreen. The £70.50 fine is absolutely ridiculous compared with the 'crime'. The ticket itself threatens me with a court summons if it's not paid within 28 days. I have no excuses other than that I visit these 2 shops very regularly, and am a valuable customer of both (but not any more!!!). Several questions:- Is this fine really enforceable by law as the 'crime' was on private land? If I decide to pay by cheque, do they really need to know my address - I'm extremely unwilling to give it to a bunch of crooks like them. What is the most awkward way of paying (e.g. post-dated cheque, multiple cheques for lesser amounts adding up to the full amount, etc.)? If any can advise on the above questions, please do. As a worrier, this is going to ruin my Xmas. Thank you.