Car clamped 'while man was in it'

The company said it would cost £80 to release the car

An elderly man has said his car was clamped while he was sitting in it.

Eric Martin said the clamper then knocked on the window of his car in Loughborough town centre to demand an £80 release fee.

Mr Martin, 77, of Mountsorrel, Leics, admitted he was illegally parked in a private car park but would have moved the car if asked to.

A spokesperson for National Clamps said there were clear warning signs stating the area was private property.

It's our job to catch people out, not inform them they have been caught out National Clamps spokesperson

Mr Martin's wife Pat, 68, said she was only gone from the car for about seven minutes.

They claim a clamper sneaked up alongside the vehicle and clamped it without being seen.

Mrs Martin said: "I think it's absolutely appalling clamping someone's car when they are sitting in it.

"My husband was sitting in the passenger seat. The man must have squatted under the car and clamped it before tapping the window and saying 'that will be £80 please'."

The spokesperson for National Clamps said: "It's our job to catch people out, not inform them they have been caught out."