London: An Indian-origin businessman who ran a car parking service at London's Heathrow airport was today fined and handed a six-week suspended sentence for illegally driving a customer's Range Rover car in her absence.
Devinder Singh, 30, was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to pay 350 pounds (USD 512) in costs and an 80-pound (USD 117) victim surcharge by Ealing Magistrates' Court in London.
"Singh was interviewed under caution after one of his customers complained to police about the use of her car while away on holiday. The customer had left their car, a Range Rover Sport, with Singh's business YesParking.
"His business provided a service for motorists wishing to leave their car in storage while they flew from Heathrow airport," a Scotland Yard spokesperson said.
Singh was convicted of driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent after he pleaded guilty to all charges, the spokesperson said.
"He also ran another business providing the same service called HeathrowParking 24-7. When the customer collected the vehicle, they noticed it was clean, the setting was in the off-road position which was never used and there was less fuel.
"Also the mileage had changed significantly. A tracking device showed the car being parked at various addresses including Singh's home during the period while the customer was away," the spokesperson said.
Singh was previously convicted for similar driving offences in relation to his business and had received a number of suspended sentences, a legal term implying delaying of incarceration in order to allow the defendant to perform a period of probation.
"This was a betrayal of his customer's trust by brazenly using their cars while they were away on holiday without their knowledge.
"He would have continued to do this had he not been caught. The travelling public must be careful to use reputable companies when leaving their motor vehicles whilst travelling from Heathrow Airport," Detective Inspector Ian Robinson of Aviation policing said.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Devinder Singh, 30, was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to pay 350 pounds (USD 512) in costs and an 80-pound (USD 117) victim surcharge by Ealing Magistrates' Court in London.
"Singh was interviewed under caution after one of his customers complained to police about the use of her car while away on holiday. The customer had left their car, a Range Rover Sport, with Singh's business YesParking.
Singh was convicted of driving while disqualified, driving without insurance and taking a motor vehicle without the owner's consent after he pleaded guilty to all charges, the spokesperson said.
Advertisement
"Also the mileage had changed significantly. A tracking device showed the car being parked at various addresses including Singh's home during the period while the customer was away," the spokesperson said.
Advertisement
"This was a betrayal of his customer's trust by brazenly using their cars while they were away on holiday without their knowledge.
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Indian-American Man's Rs 8,300 Crore Fraud Scheme Shakes Top US Investors Akali Dal Doing Politics Over 1993 Delhi Blast Convict's Release: AAP Second AAP Lawmaker Joins BJP, Days After Arvind Kejriwal's Challenge Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops LIVE: CBI Team At Kolkata Hospital For Digital Mapping Of Crime Scene Kolkata Rape-Murder: 5 Demands Of Doctors On 24-Hour Nationwide Strike Citroen Basalt (Tata Curvv Rival) Variant-Wise Prices Are Out: Full List US Supreme Court Keeps Block On Rules Protecting Transgender Students How Rupert Murdoch Helped Create A Monster - The Era Of Trumpism Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.