More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A defiant pensioner who refused to pay a parking ticket he received after a visit to his GP practice has won his case.
Charles Webley, 86, was slapped with the penalty despite entering his car registration number at the reception of the Rochester Healthy Living Centre, Delce Road, Rochester.
He had used the new system at the surgery several times and could only assume he inadvertently typed in a wrong digit.
Mr Webley, a retired post office supervisor, appealed the fine to the operators Euro Car Parks, but lost.
He faced forking out £85, which he refused to pay.
He said : “ I’m a fighter and I’m not paying a penny. I am a diabetic and go there regularly for blood tests and know how it works.
“They are taking advantage of elderly and vulnerable people who may not be comfortable with that sort of technology.
“No doubt some people are too frightened and pay up for fear of the bailiffs turning up. But not me.
Mr Webley, who lives with his daughter Sharon, 60, appealed to POPLA, the ombudsman-run body.
After that, Euro Car Parks decided not to contest the appeal and Mr Webley did not have to pay the charge.
He said: “They are using bullying tactics to make people pay up.”
A statement from POPLA sent to Mr Webley, said : "Euro Car Parks do not wish to contest the appeal. This means that your appeal is successful and you do not need to pay the parking charge.”
