No comfort after fine

Jun 15 2008 by Mr Justice, Sunday Sun

A COUNCIL is under fire for apparently saying that babies needing medical attention are not a valid reason to waive a parking fine.

Newcastle City Council seemed to claim that drivers had to come up with a better excuse in a letter to a motorist who challenged a fixed penalty.

The letter was sent to Stacey Lough who appealed against a charge after stopping her car in a restricted area to buy a dummy for a friend’s crying baby.

The letter said: “We receive many reasons why a driver believes a parking notice should be withdrawn and we regard all mitigation most seriously. However, a baby requiring a “comforter” is not seen as a medical emergency, nor is the baby requiring medical attention.”

Stacey, 20, of Washington, Tyne and Wear, was given a £30 ticket after parking in Newcastle. She said: “I think it’s all wrong. Looking after the baby was my priority.” The fine was reluctantly paid to avoid the possibility of a court hearing.

Her grandad Tom Lough, who appealed on Stacey’s behalf, said: “I can’t understand why they would say a baby requiring medical treatment is not proper mitigation. That is how I interpret the letter.

“If that’s the case, they have their priorities upside down. Are they more interested in getting money from motorists than letting them deal with an emergency?”

A spokesman for the council said the letter did not intend to convey the impression drivers should find a parking meter before dealing with a genuine medical situation.

He said: “We apologise for any confusion arising from the letter sent to Miss Lough on May 30, which arose from a typo- graphical error.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to state that if there had been a genuine medical emergency the fine would, of course, have been waived.”