A motorist has spoken to GB News after emerging victorious in a five-year legal scrap with a major parking firm over a £1 ticket.

Nigel Richardson, 71, took on Euro Car Parks after they went after him over a £1 debt, which he did not owe.

In 2020, Mr Richardson found himself without change and unable to pay via card as the machines were out of order after he parked his VW Golf in Syston, Leicestershire.

He attempted to pay via the mobile phone app, but received no confirmation the payment had gone through.

Nigel Richardson was left staggered by the heavy-handed response

Mr Richardson wrote to the company to explain the situation and suggested he might owe them a pound, only for them to slap with him a £100 fine.

He later found the receipt for his online transaction, which triggered an extraordinary five-year legal battle which consisted of debt collection agencies sending him letters threatening court action and fines escalating to a £230 total.

Mr Richardson stood his ground, and he recalled the battle which People’s Channel star Alex Armstrong said was akin to ‘David vs Goliath’.

Describing the situation, he said: “First of all, their machines weren’t working. It was during Covid so I didn’t have any coins on me. I tried to pay via card and their machines didn’t work. I did my very best to pay and initially, the transaction on the app didn’t go through.

Mr Richardson doggedly fought the unfair fine

“I explained I made every effort to pay, but I subsequently found out I had paid. I sent the receipt and they asked if I brought it up at the time of appeal.

“They said it doesn’t count if it wasn’t brought up at the time of the appeal. They told me to pay and I kept getting threatened with county court judgments.

“I thought, fair is fair, I paid my money, you have to let me off.”

Mr Richardson then urged Britons to stand their ground when it comes to dealing with authorities, otherwise more companies will get away with it.

Millions of drivers have been slapped with parking fines over the last few years | GETTY

“I think right is right. I was hoping for considerably more money out of the case”, he said.

“It was £200 we got and they have paid it.”

He then criticised the legal system, calling for them to be “more fair” with people like him taking on huge companies.

Despite receiving £200 compensation, most of the fee was cancelled out by court costs of £180.

While Mr Richardson was £20 better off after the five-year ordeal, he still secured victory in the face of legal action from a huge national company.