Carmen Thompson, from Newquay in Cornwall, hit out at the ‘cold-hearted’ charge (Picture: Jam Press)
A mother has been left feeling ‘disgusted’ after she was handed a £160 parking fine for stopping to feed her baby.
Carmen Thompson, 35, had been shopping for the day when her eight-month old began to cry.
It was clear the baby was hungry and needed to be fed.
En-route back to her car, she stopped to feed the child but was ‘fretting’ about the time left on her parking ticket.
She left Truro’s Lemon Quay car park 17 minutes late and a parking fine, to the tune of £160, later made its way through her door.
Carmen, from from Newquay in Cornwall, told NeedToKnow.online: ‘I remember fretting that the time might run out, so I asked my partner to go back to the car, so she could explain to any warden that might come.
‘My partner does not drive so therefore couldn’t move the car, and neither of us had any cash left on us.
“Due to my daughter being an IVF baby and [being] born prematurely weighing only 4lb 14oz, I was constantly making sure she was getting what she needed, when she needed it.
The family had left Truro’s Lemon Quay car park 17 minutes late (Picture: Jam Press)
‘We thought everything was OK. No wardens came and we did not realise it was a camera car park.’
The incident happened back in September 2020, but the family have battled with Napier Parking Limited in the hopes the fine may be overturned.
However, their appeal was rejected.
‘They basically said it wasn’t good enough, and still today stand by their decision,’ Carmen claimed.
‘I didn’t appeal further as I was disgusted at how cold hearted they were.’
The mum also claims to have now been sent a letter from a solicitor, stating she needs to pay the outstanding amount of £160 or face possible court proceedings.
Napier Park Limited have allegedly offered her a discount of 40%, making the bill £96, if it is paid by 5 December 2022.
She added: ‘On the most recent letter from their solicitor, it states that they have pre-approved a monthly instalment amount of £15 which has been recommended considering an estimate of disposable income.
‘They have no idea what my disposable income is, and even if I was a millionaire – which I am very far from – I still would fight this and take a seat in court.
Carmen Thompson says she feels ‘disgusted’ at the fine (Picture: Jam Press)
‘My daughter did and will always come first especially before 17 minutes of overstayed parking.’
News agency Jam Press reached out to Napier Parking for a comment, to which company spokesperson James de Savary responded: ‘This is a case where Miss Thompson failed to pay for our services in full.
‘Whilst I appreciate the comments she has put forward, there was the opportunity for her or her partner to top up her parking (even remotely using the JustPark app).
‘They did not have to go near a machine or even leave the location she was located at in order to pay.
‘For the avoidance of doubt payment can be made with coins, card or by using the JustPark pay by phone app.’
Mr de Savary added a fine was always the ‘last resort’ and that the company had complied fully with the IPC Code of Practice.
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‘We thought everything was OK. No wardens came and we did not realise it was a camera car park.’
