LETTER: Challenge to a penalty charge

I was entering the car park myself on 11th October 2013, to pick up some emergency supplies from Pet Doctors, the vets, and yes, I did not have any change on me whatsoever, so, like the good person I am, I spoke to the vets on the phone before entering the car park, to ask them to bring out the supplies to me so that I did not take up too much time in the car park.

Upon entering the car park, I promptly found the attendant loitering behind the parking charges sign, ready to pounce.

I parked my car at the entrance and he immediately came over. He told me that I had to move my vehicle, I informed him that I had no change and that I would be out of his way in a matter of seconds as the receptionist at the vet was standing outside the vets with my supplies in hand. I told the attendant that all I had to do was cross the road, grab the bags and I would be on my way.

His reply was unbelievable, and he promptly wrote out a ticket and slapped it on my window.

I said to the attendant, ‘Look mate, I understand if I was in a bay and refusing to buy a ticket, but I am not in anyone’s way here, and it has taken you longer to issue the ticket than I was actually going to be in the car park’.

Again, his reply was ‘not my problem, get out of my car park!’, with a few choice words thrown in for good measure.

I have since appealed this ticket on three separate occasions, with email confirmation that at least two of these had been received, which they deny all knowledge of, and keep upping the charge.

I have also made an official complaint regarding the attendant, to this day it remains unchallenged.

I am awaiting a date to be taken to court regarding this outstanding charge, because they have increased it without responding to my appeal. Therefore, I refuse to pay it out of principle until my complaint has been acknowledged.

I would also like to point out that my ticket stated that I was viewed for a mere eight seconds....

Transcripts of all emails and letters received are available on request, should anyone be interested in them.

On another note, would I be able to obtain copies of letters written by other people concerning the car park at Jengers Mead, as I wish to submit them in evidence at my court hearing, whenever it may be?

MICHAEL SCRASE

April Close, Horsham