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Great gran bailiffs threat - for owing just 1p

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Published Date: 09 October 2009
By Nick Ward
A SHOCKED Sheffield pensioner received a letter threatening her with bailiffs - because she owes the grand total of 1p.
Great granny Joan Hoyland was sent the letter from a firm of solicitors informing her: "Your account is £.01 in arrears."

The letter went on to inform Joan, 73, that proceedings had been brought in Northampton County Court where a judgment had been made against her.

And it added: "Unless you pay the arrears in full within the course of the next 10 days the claimant will issue a warrant of execution against you.

"A court bailiff will call on you in order to satisfy the warrant."

Joan, of Wulfric Road, Manor, who has 15 great grandchildren, called the offices of Salford-based Horwich Farrelly Solicitors, the company which had sent out the letter.

She said: "I rang them to stop the bailiffs coming to my home because I had no idea how I came to owe anybody 1p.

"They told me that my case had been going on for 10 years when I bought something - for the life of me I can't even remember what.

"Whatever it was I was 1p short on my repayments.

"It has taken them 10 years to chase that penny up - I was absolutely dumbfounded.

"But at least the person I spoke to told me they were willing to waive court action which means now I don't have to worry about the bailiffs knocking on my door.

"When I told my friends and family they all hade a really good laugh and now I can't stop laughing.

"I'm going to have the letter framed and hang it on my wall as a reminder."

Now Horwich Farrelly Solicitors has apologised and said the letter should not have been sent.

A company spokesperson said: "This is a genuine mistake. It occurred due to us carrying out some minute adjustments to clear our systems following a management buyout.

"This was not meant to happen and we have apologised to Mrs Hoyland for any distress this may have caused."

Got a view? Leave your comment below.

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  • Last Updated: 09 October 2009 8:41 AM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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Handsworth,

09/10/2009 09:10:48
This firm of Solicitors should be struck off. Are all their staff so blind that no one had either the brains or commonsense to realise the amount they were claiming from this lady. This Country is completely out of hand. I am sure we are being run by lunatics and everytbody seems to be trying to join the club. Heaven help us.
2

yorkshireguy,

sheffield 09/10/2009 10:04:50
The Solicitors have apologised for their mistake however it does not say whether or not the court has removed the CCJ that has been made against her which will ruin her credit rating if it still stands.
3

MANOR BLADE SUFC,

09/10/2009 11:03:07
cost more to send the letter out
4

Academiclawyer,

Sheffield 09/10/2009 11:13:10
Typical greedy solicitors. Why are they all willing to do anything to make money. Jumping on the debt collection bandwagon
5

Lewis Skinner,

Hillsborough 09/10/2009 12:09:06
I hope they fixed her credit profile as well! You don't need that kind of rubbish on your hands - trust me!
6

James Dower,

England 09/10/2009 12:15:27
This is just typical of todays society. A poor, frail and frightened lady being bullied into paying the rediculous sum of 1p.

Are these people shameless, unscrupulous or just downright dirty ding dongs!

If it was my gran I would be seeking compensation through the European court of human rights.

Just what is the point of going on in such a painful existance?
7

Michael P,

09/10/2009 12:28:26
James, you're wrong wrong wrong. Your gran should pay up - she owes the money so she doesn't have a leg to stand on ...

If i was owed money I'd want it paid in full, no matter how small the amount. Though it's a bit pathetic to go to court over 1p. What is the world coming to that such a lovely old woman can be victimised in this disgraceful way. the council should be ashamed of themselves and someone should be sacked
8

RX,

Sheffield 09/10/2009 12:53:38
Regarding the above - what a load of halfwits!

European Court of Human Right indeed!

It's a mistake, a letter produced by a computer no doubt. The company apologised and scrapped it as soon as they became aware and before "The Star" shoved their nose in.

A name and address on a computer doesn't say "PS this is a lovely little old lady" next to it, does it!
9

Handsworth,

09/10/2009 12:54:12
Might I first of all suggest Michael learns to read and that he goes down to specsavers. "What have the Council to do with anything? It was a firm of Solicitors claiming the money and nowhere does it say who it was alleged she owed the money to, and , it appears they did not know. As to him becoming a modern day Shylock and demaning every penny that was owed, the lady fro m start to finish asked who it was she was supoposed to owe this munificent amount to and nobody could tell her. Before you start voicing opinionion engage your brain first.
10

James Dower,

England 09/10/2009 13:28:26
Mmmm there is so much venom here. I am picking up some rather nasty spiteful vibes.

The council are duty bound to look after their residents, after all what do we pay all that council tax for - so a lot of people can go off sick on full pay for weeks, months and even years on full pay at our expense - I am sick of them moaning and whinging about their pensions when us lot who arent entitled to these pensions will have to live on thruppence hapney a week. No wonder the poor old lady is so annoyed about having to pay the 1p - it probably accounts for a signisificant percentage of her weekly income.

Those public sector workers are to blame for the state of this country in my opinion - always moaning - go and get a real job and just see how tough it is out there!
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