A parking company has gone on trial accused of demanding North-east motorists pay penalty charges that prosecutors claim do not apply in Scotland.

Civil Enforcement Ltd is alleged to have committed fraud by asking for payment from vehicle owners who were said to have broken regulations at car parks across Aberdeenshire.

The firm is on trial at Aberdeen Sheriff Court facing 12 charges and denies them all.

It is facing 11 charges relating to consumer protection from unfair trading and one charge of running a fraudulent scheme.

The court heard from staff nurse Michelle MacPherson, 43, who was issued with a notice after spending four hours catching up with university pals in a coffee shop at Inverurie Garden Centre on March 11, 2014.

On her way out a member of staff at the checkout told Ms McPherson, from Boddam near Peterhead, that she would be getting a penalty notice for being parked for more than two hours.

It was only then she noticed signs in the car park stating the time limit.

Later that month she received a letter from Civil Enforcement Ltd demanding payment.

She described it as looking like it had come from the council or the police.

However, on the advice of Trading Standards, she ignored the letter.

A month later she received another letter from the company.

She said: “I was just sickened – terrified to be honest.

“It looked like it had come from a court.

“It had the scales on it and the word ‘civil’. It was scary.”

The court heard that again she was told by Trading Standards to ignore the letter and she never heard anything further from the firm.

James Stewart, 73, a retired oil worker from Inverurie who owns a car but has never driven, also gave evidence yesterday.

He said his partner had taken the car on November 20, 2013, and made use of the car park by North Street and Blackhall Road in Inverurie.

Soon after he was sent several letters from Civil Enforcement demanding payment.

The trial continues.