A MAN who set up an illegal car park in Stretford to profit from Manchester’s involvement in the Olympics has been jailed for 20 weeks.


Andrew Burgess, 35, of Regent Square, Ordsall, Salford, pleaded guilty to fraud and criminal damage at Trafford Magistrates Court on August.


Burgess and two others hijacked a private car park at Atherton House, off Talbot Road, and illegally controlled it during an Olympic football match at Manchester United’s Trafford ground on July 29.


Access to the car park is normally restricted by a chain, but on the day of the match the chain was vandalised, which allowed Burgess and his accomplices to take control of the park.


The three charged £10 entry to unsuspecting members of the public.
The genuine operators of the car park called the police when they arrived and found the group illegally controlling the park. Burgess was then arrested.


Det Insp Frank Morris from Trafford CID, said:"Greater Manchester Police is fully aware that sadly, private car parks can be used and controlled by organised crime groups during large sporting events because it is an easy and fruitful source of illegitimate income.
 

"On this occasion, Burgess effectively hijacked private land for his own ends - attempting to cash in on the thousands of people visiting Trafford to see an Olympic football match by seizing control of a car park.
 

"Thankfully, he was stopped in his tracks and has now been imprisoned for his crimes.
 

"I hope this case sends a powerful message to anyone who thinks they can take control of private car parks in Trafford during match days that we are onto you and we will target you and bring you to justice."