A HAMPSTEAD Garden Suburb restaurateur is gearing up for legal action after his car was crushed over a £480 fine

A HAMPSTEAD Garden Suburb restaurateur is gearing up for legal action after his car was crushed over a £480 fine.

Farid Medid left his Range Rover on Wordsworth Avenue, near his home in the Suburb, unaware that his tax had expired.

The 42-year-old was using a Mini because it was easier to park near his Hampstead High Street restaurant Al Casbah.

When he found his 4X4 had disappeared in November, police told him to contact the DVLA.

Mr Medid said: "I really didn't realise the tax had run out. I'd sent my driving licence to the DVLA for them to change my address, but they were sending letters to my old house.

"They told me I owed £480, and it was £15 a day to keep it at the pound. I said fine I'll sort it out in a couple of weeks as I was busy with the run up to Christmas.

"Then when I rang up two weeks later the woman just said it had been crushed.

"I just cannot believe they scrapped my car. It was in perfect condition."

Mr Medid paid £45,000 for the car in 2002, and estimates it is worth £14,000. But the DVLA claimed it was worth just £1,500.

He is now taking legal advice about pursuing the DVLA for compensation.

A DVLA spokesman said it would not discuss individual cases, but added: "If the DVLA is contacted by a vehicle keeper and informed that they are unable to collect their vehicle, it would be held until their return.