Police officer badly injured in horror crash fined £100 - for parking in disabled bay

[dutchman]

Ian Jamieson has to use a wheelchair or crutches since the accident last year



A police officer who suffered horrific injuries in a motorbike accident has been hit with a £100 fine by a Coventry supermarket - for parking his car in a disabled bay.

Ian Jamieson, 45, hasn’t been able to walk since the collision last November and has to use a wheelchair to get about.

The traffic officer had been taking part in a motorbike training session in Evesham Road, Stratford, when he was involved in a nasty collision.

He was left with an agonising list of injuries including broken bones and ligament damage.

On January 28 he was visiting Tesco Arena with his sister Sue when he was hit with the fine.

They had only been in the shop for 45 minutes but ended up with a £100 bill they are now forced to pay.

The Warwickshire Police officer has effectively been left housebound following the collision.

Now he feels that he can’t go shopping if he is going to be penalised for parking in a disabled bay.

Ian said: “After my accident, I was taken straight to hospital and operated on the following day - since then, I’ve been in a wheelchair until I recover.

“I have no choice but to rely on my sister and other people to get around, as I can’t drive and dependent on my wheelchair and crutches.

“On this occasion, we parked in a disabled bay in Arena Tesco’s car park.

“I haven’t been allowed a blue badge because my disability is just ‘temporary’, so we are careful to park in bays that don’t specify that we need a blue badge.

“As far as we could see, this was the case at Tesco, and so off we went to the shops.

“I was feeling confident that day in my walking capability with the aid of Sue, so I left my wheelchair in the boot of the car and went on my crutches.

“When we came back to the car, we had a ticket, and when we saw it was for parking in a disabled bay, we were completely shocked.

“I feel that I qualify to park in this space, and especially seeing as the wheelchair was clearly visible in the back of the car, you would think it is obvious that the car is parked in the correct space.”

Ian and Sue then saw a ticket officer walking past just a few minutes later and contested the ticket, but they wouldn’t retract it, and told them to appeal.

Ian added: “He told us it wasn’t him that issued the ticket, but we could appeal it.

“A sign with small print was pointed out to us around 10 cars in the opposite direction from the shops which stated some terms and conditions, but in terms of the bay we parked in, we felt it suited my condition.

“We did appeal, and we lost and now we face paying £100. Which is a kick in the teeth when you see two thieves in the paper for stealing from the same shop and only getting fined £40.”

Park Watch, who runs the Arena Tesco car park, has been contacted for comment.

[dutchman]

Police officer fined £100 for parking in disabled bay told he doesn't have to pay

A severely injured police officer who was fined £100 fine for parking in a disabled bay has had his fine overturned after the Telegraph intervened.

Ian said: “I would like to thank the Coventry Telegraph for helping highlight my situation.

“It was only after your intervention that Park Watch reconsidered their actions to a favourable conclusion.”

A spokesman for Park Watch said: “Following a review of the evidence provided in support of the appeal I can now confirm that the original decision to reject has now been overturned.

“The parking charge notice has now been cancelled.”

[rebbonk]

There is a definite problem with recognising those that may only be disabled for a few months while they recover.