Moped rider, 16, fined £160 for using closed car park for six minutes
16 year old Louis Singleton from Fakenham is now being send debt collectors letters for the unpaid fine. Picture:Archant - Credit: Archant
The step-mother of a 16-year-old moped rider says she will fight the £160 ticket in court if she has to.
16 year old Louis Singleton from Fakenham is now being send debt collectors letters for the unpaid fine. Picture:Archant - Credit: Archant
The step-mother of a 16-year-old moped rider who was fined £160 for using a closed car park says she will fight the ticket in court if she has to.
Louis Singleton, from Fakenham, pulled over into Millers Walk car park on Whitehorse Street just before 9.45pm on July 20 to take a phone call. He said that he did not turn the engine off or get off the bike during the call and left six minutes later.
A fine for £60 then arrived at his home, stating that he had used the car park after it had closed at 7pm. He said there were no clear closed signs on the entrance and the gate had not been closed.
Details of opening times are listed on a sign at the car park's entrance.
16 year old Louis Singleton from Fakenham is now being send debt collectors letters for the unpaid fine. Picture:Archant - Credit: Archant
But Marissa Ullmer, Louis' step-mum, said the signage was not clear.
"If the signs were outside and said 'closed' then I would have said you should have read before you entered and I would have paid the fine," she said.
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"But because there are no clear signs outside the car park, you have to go in to see about the hours, and once you are in the car park you will be fined."
The fine, which was issued by National Parking Enforcement, was raised to £100 after no payment was made in a 30 day window. It was raised by a further £60 after the company brought in TNC debt collectors.
16 year old Louis Singleton from Fakenham is now being send debt collectors letters for the unpaid fine. Picture:Archant - Credit: Archant
Ms Ulmer said that they have no intention to pay. She added that they have now started to receive calls saying that bailiffs will be sent to the house.
Louis tried to make an arrangement with National Parking Enforcement, saying he would pay them a pound a week. But the company refused.
Louis, who suffers from Tourette's said the fine had 'hugely affected' him.
"I've had sleepless nights and I feel my college work is suffering because of this. I am anxious to get back on the moped," he said.
National Parking Enforcement Ltd did not respond to requests for comment.
