Driver sends bailiffs to Tesco over £3,400 van repair bill

13 April 2012

Bailiffs seized alcohol worth £60,000 from a Tesco store after the company ignored a High Court order to compensate a driver whose van was damaged by its fuel.

David Bond, 59, was a victim of contaminated fuel more than three years ago. He filled his Mercedes Sprinter with 61 litres of diesel at a Tesco Extra store in November 2003. The fuel, which was contaminated with water, badly damaged the engine.

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David Bond: Three-year fight

He had to pay £3,400 to have it repaired immediately because he needed his vehicle for work.

Although Tesco later admitted liability, it was prepared to pay only 25 per cent of the repair costs.

Incensed, Mr Bond rejected its offer. The shopfitter from Swindon decided to take on Tesco's retail might for the full cost of the bill. The battle culminated in a court hearing in December, at which Tesco offered no evidence.

A County Court judgment was made against the firm and it was ordered to pay Mr Bond £2,690 by December 12 last year.

It had already made an interim payment of £1,060 two years earlier. But nearly three months after the ruling, Tesco had still failed to pay a penny more.

His lawyer claimed Mr Bond could have started winding up procedures against the company or

tried to have its assets frozen. Instead, he had the case transferred to the High Court. On March 1 an enforcement officer from the court impounded wine, spirits and beer worth £60,000 at a Tesco store in Gloucester.

The goods, which were not actually removed from the store, could have been sold off within days. But last night Tesco ended the dispute with an apology and declaration that the cheque was in the post.

His solicitor, Barry Bennington, said: 'This is a modern-day story of David and Goliath. Tesco has taken a heavy-handed approach to this case from the start, fighting it every step of the way only to admit full liability and promise to pay up when the case finally reached the court.

'It then reneged on its promises and ignored the terms imposed by the court.'

On hearing that Tesco had finally relented and sent him a cheque, Mr Bond said: 'I'll believe it when I see it.'

Later, a Tesco spokesman said: 'We should point out this is an isolated case and in no way reflects the usual treatment received by our customers.'

He said the alcohol was still being sold and had not been removed from the supermarket shelves.

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