Alcohol seized in Tesco fuel row

The supermarket had failed to pay damages to David Bond, from Swindon, who filled his van with diesel which was contaminated with water in 2003.

Tesco faced having the goods sold off at auction after ignoring a High Court order to pay Mr Bond £2,690.

A Tesco spokesman said the company would now pay the money.

Mr Bond, a 59-year-old shop fitter, filled his Mercedes Sprinter van with 61 litres of diesel from his local Tesco Extra store in November 2003.

Repair bill

He was forced to pay a £3,400 repair bill immediately as he needed his vehicle for work.

Although the retailer later admitted liability, Tesco said it was only prepared to pay 25% of the cost of the repairs.

He rejected their offer and sued Tesco for the full cost of the bill.

The long-running battle ended in a court hearing in December, where Tesco - who had defended the claim - offered no evidence.

A county court judgment was made against the firm and it was ordered to pay Mr Bond £2,690 by 12 December 2006.

But nearly three months after the ruling, Tesco has failed to pay damages to Mr Bond.

An enforcement officer seized wine, spirits and beer - worth £60,000 - from the St Oswalds Road store in Gloucester on 1 March.

The goods have been effectively "impounded" in the shop and the drink could be sold off "in a matter of days" if the money still has not been paid.

Mr Bond's lawyer Barry Bennington, said: "Despite admitting liability, despite the court judgment and despite the fact that High Court Enforcement Officers have now seized £60,000 of goods, Tesco has yet to pay David Bond a penny of the £2,690 still owed to him."

A Tesco spokesman confirmed a writ had been served, but stressed no alcohol had been taken from the store.

"A cheque for the full amount is now on its way to Mr Bond. We sincerely apologise to him for the delay, which was the result of an administrative oversight," he said.

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