nothanxp: You misunderstand me. This is not a simple civil matter where you pay for the damage - it is a criminal offence deliberately to damage somebody's property, and it is dealt with in a criminal court.
So you are looking at a fine, and costs, and compensation, and a criminal record. These cases are quite common.
And IFF: I am not a lawyer, but I have a feeling that the clampers are entitled to insist on legal tender - and that ain't a cheque. If they take cheques or plastic that is up to them. On the other hand most of them are so thick, selected for looking menacing, that it might be worth a try.
By the way, when did you last buy a security padlock? The last one I bought was sixty quid!
[ 04 October 2001: Message edited by: JPJ ]