Victory in battle with energy giant

Barry Payling took action after suffering a long series of problems which he says included miscalculated bills, debt collectors arriving for money he did not owe and his mother being asked to sign up after she had died.

The photographer logged every phone call he made and every letter he sent to the company during working hours, and then put in a claim for loss of earnings.

During a planned court hearing he was set to demand 2,108 from the firm, but was delighted when British Gas backed down and sent him a cheque to settle the dispute.

The 59-year-old, of Rawmarsh, near Rotherham, who has been a customer with the company for 20 years said: "I stood up to them and I didn't buckle. I think they have got their just desserts.

"They either thought they were on a loser or it wasn't worth turning up to court. I'm elated, it's a David and Goliath job. There is one thing a bully doesn't like and that is being bullied. I like to think I bullied them back."

Mr Payling's disputes with British Gas began two years ago after he complained about representatives repeatedly calling at his elderly mother Bessie Payling's home.

Since then he said he had been sent error-strewn bills, including one for 900, and been given a faulty meter reading which resulted in his over-paying by hundreds of pounds.

He also faced threats to take his mother to court for her last bill of 23 when she moved into a care home and a letter asking her to "come back" to British Gas after she died.

The company also sent a bailiff round on Christmas Eve for a 500 debt he did not owe.

Mr Payling said he repeatedly called British Gas to complain and question the service, but was continually fobbed off, which was when he finally decided to turn the tables.

He billed British Gas for his telephone calls and letters. When they refused to pay up he issued a court summons.

Mr Payling said he was most annoyed when the company had tried to bill him for large amounts. He said: "For one quarter I was billed 650 for gas. I'm a single man living by myself.

"In six months I was asked to pay 1,000. Every time I sent a letter and every time I made a phone call I logged it. I used my rate as a photographer to bill them for my time which came to 2,108.

"I told them to pay me and they said no, so I said I would see them in court. Now they have paid me the money."

Mr Payling urged customers not to give in to big companies and added: "I want to stand up for the little man here, for everyone who is suffering as I have done.

"Know your rights and be prepared for the drawn out procedure of paying summonses and fees and having to wait weeks for replies. Stick with it and if you are right you may just be able to prove that there's nothing a bully hates more than being bullied."

A British Gas spokeswoman said: "Mr Payling was not happy with the way his account had been run and decided to pursue his case through the courts. As this was an ex gratia payment it would be inappropriate for us to issue further comment about this case."