The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Clampers found guilty of fraud
A couple who clamped a van belonging to a severely disabled man have been found guilty of fraud. Steve and Katie Plavecz of Monks Road, Eye, refused to release the van until £ 125 was handed over despite a blue badge being on display.
Acouple who clamped a severely disabled man’s adapted van while his carers were helping him find breakfast have been convicted of fraud. Steve and Katie Plavecz, who live on Monks Road, Eye, pounced on Ramon Khory’s Renault van after his carers took him to KFC on London Road, Peterborough, on May 27 last year for a weekly treat.
Ramon ( 34) , who is blind, has autism, epilepsy and is wheelchair bound and needs 24 hour care, had been taken for a walk by carers Moise Kifwa and Norma Chamica when the van was clamped.
But despite a blue disabled badge being displayed in the windscreen, meaning it was illegal to clamp the van, the Plavecz’s still immobilised the vehicle. And despite desperate pleas from Mr Khory’s carers, they refused to release the vehicle until they had been paid £ 125.
Yesterday Katie ( 34) and Steve ( 50) were both found guilty of fraud after a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court.
The court heard from Mr Kifwa, who said: “I put the blue badge on the top of the dashboard.
“I am certain it was on display. Wetake him out three or four times a week, and I have cared for him for 12 years.
“When we spoke to the clampers we explained the situation, and they said it was private parking.
“I asked them to be human enough to let us off, because he is disabled, but they did not.”
Defendants were ‘ not believable’
COUPLE TO BE SENTENCED
Mr Kifwa said they had to call Mr Khory’s mother and her partner to come and pay the fine and get the van released.
Both Katie Plavecz and Steve Plavecz pleaded not guilty to fraud, with both stating they could not remember the incident in question.
Katie Plavecz said: “I know if I did clamp a car with a disabled badge then I would lose my job. If there is no permit or badge in the car then it will be clamped.”
Steve Plavecz said: “Katie did the clamping, but I was her steward. She would always check to see if there were any badges.”
The court was told it became illegal last year to clamp any car on private land.