Car park row cost pounds 50,000

WHAT STARTED as a squabble in a car park ended in court yesterday, having run up legal costs estimated at pounds 50,000.

The saga began when Karrol Hughes - waiting for a parking berth outside Sainsbury's in Wilmslow, Cheshire - was beaten into the space by Christopher Shaw and his wife Gabrielle.

An argument ensued which resulted in the Shaws, owners of a pounds 4m turreted castle nearCongleton, being charged with disorderly behaviour, and countering by employing a QC to bring a private prosecution for assault. At Macclesfield magistrates' court yesterday the case against the Shaws was dropped and the Hugheses were found not guilty. The magistrate said: "I have to keep reminding myself this was all about a dispute over a parking space."