Dad's fury at £60 parking fine

Oct 11 2006 By Jasbir Authi, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM father was left fuming after he parked in a "parent and toddler" bay - and was fined £60.

Mujibur Rahman took his 14-month-old son with him on his twice-weekly shopping trip to Asda, in Coventry Road, Small Heath.

The father of three was stunned when he returned to his car to find a parking ticket on the windscreen.

Mr Rahman complained to the superstore's manager and presented little Syed as proof, but was told he would have to sort it out with the private firm employed to issue the tickets.

He now has 14 days in which to pay or appeal the fine.

Mr Rahman, aged 37, of Berkeley Road, Yardley, said: "I was perfectly within the law. I parked my car legally and I was shopping with my child."

The restaurant manager went to the store on Sunday, October 2, just before 2pm.

He said: "I removed the car seat and put it into the trolley and placed my son in it and went shopping.

"I was about 40 minutes and when I went back to my car I saw a parking ticket."

After speaking to the manager, Mr Rahman confronted the wardens from Central Ticketing who told him to write to their office in the city centre.

Sian Horner, of Asda, told the Birmingham Mail: "We are keeping a close eye on the car park because there was a near accident because people were abusing the parent and toddler system.

"We are sorry for any inconvenience caused, but we are being extra cautious," she said.

"People should mark their car or leave something in there which makes people aware they have a baby."

Marie Key, from Central Ticketing, said Mr Rahman had taken the child seat out and the ticketers presumed he did not have a child with him.

"If he appeals and if the CCTV is OK, we will cancel the ticket," she said.

* Have your say on this story at www.birminghammail.net/news/yoursay