More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A Maidstone driver is fighting a parking ticket – which was slapped on his car while he was sitting inside.
Jon Roberts, of Brunswick Street, received the £60 fine while he was waiting for his wife Carolyn, 32, to be dropped off from work.
He says the private car park, by Clarkes Furnishers in Sandling Road, was empty as the shop was closed.
Now he is being threatened with court action if he does not pay.
The 39-year-old, who maintains the grounds at the Tudor Park Marriott hotel in Bearsted, said he was sitting in his car when another drove in and the driver sat there for about five minutes before sticking something to Mr Roberts’ door. At first he thought it was a leaflet.
“I couldn’t believe it. I had only been there around 10 minutes and would have moved if he had asked me to” - Mr Roberts
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I had only been there around 10 minutes and would have moved if he had asked me to.”
The private car park has signs explaining parking is restricted to permit holders, but Mr Roberts says he did not see them.
The fine, issued by Approved Parking Solutions, has now risen to £100 after he refused to pay after consulting legal advisor Dave Savory, who runs the Style and Winch pub in Union Street.
Mr Roberts said: “Because I was waiting and not actually parked I was advised not to pay.”
He would rather the case be heard at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court rather than in a virtual court and is confident he would win if he could explain himself in person.
A spokesman for Approved Parking Solutions said it considered a car to be parked if it was stationary regardless of whether someone was inside and there is clear signage.
He said: “The vehicle involved was offered a grace period in order to decide whether or not to stay at this car park. After clearly exceeding this period the vehicle was found to be parked without permit.”
The firm said appeals could be made through independent body Parking On Private Land Appeals.
A spokesman from Clarkes said the car park was patrolled at night to prevent unsocial behaviour, littering and general abuse of the facility.
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