Ban on roadside car seller 'first of its kind in UK'

A man who used grass verges as his own personal car showroom – despite being repeatedly warned and even prosecuted – has been banned from doing so for a year, in a unique legal move by Leeds City Council.

At Leeds County Court on Monday, Michael Carey of 17 Woodland Road, Halton, was banned from selling vehicles on any land owned by Leeds City Council – including the public highway, including grass verges – for an entire year, in what is believed to be the first injunction of its kind in the country.

The District Judge signed the injunction, which is effective immediately, and forbids Carey, 38, from displaying a car for sale on any land owned by Leeds City Council within the Metropolitan District of Leeds for 12 months.

It follows an interim one month injunction, which was secured at the beginning of July.

A breach of the injunction would constitute contempt of court, which could mean up to two years behind bars.

Despite being prosecuted previously, Carey continued using public highways to sell cars – particularly on Coal Road in Seacroft, the ring road in Halton and Harehills Lane in Harehills.

Leeds City Council has taken out the injunction under the Local Government (miscellaneous provisions) Act 1982.

Councillor Steve Smith, executive board member for environmental enforcement, said: “Leeds City Council has taken the unprecedented step of applying for this injunction because of the consistent nuisance Mr Carey poses to the city.

“This order, which we believe to be the first of its kind in the country, means that he can no longer clog up our roads with vehicles he is trying to sell.

“It is an activity that attracts many complaints from the general public and is detrimental to the overall look of the city, causing an eyesore, obstructing the maintenance of verges and roads and is a distraction to motorists.

“Mr Carey has continually ignored our efforts to resolve the issue.

“These cars are often bought at auction, polished up and sold on quickly as a commercial trade. Unlike proper traders, buyers can’t always find the sellers again should problems arise with the car.”