Threat of bailiffs over Hove woman's £18.20 ‘debt' (From The Argus)
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Threat of bailiffs over Hove woman's £18.20 ‘debt'
6:35pm Saturday 1st September 2012 in News
Charlotte White faced bailiffs over a parking fine 'debt' of £18.20
A disabled woman was threatened with bailiffs visiting her home and seizing goods – over just £18.20.
Charlotte White, who suffers from an internal condition called colitis, was handed a parking ticket after leaving her car in a blue badge bay outside her home.
The 32-year-old musician, of Wilbury Road, Hove, said she put her valid disabled permit on her windscreen but it slipped, meaning a small section of it was obscured.
However, despite paying the fine in full in July, Ms White said she was “disgusted” when she received a “threatening” letter this week saying bailiffs would visit if she did not repay £18.20 which was owed.
After The Argus raised the issue, the local authority has admitted it should not have pursued the amount.
‘Burst into tears’ Ms White, who works part-time and is on a limited budget, said: “When I first opened the letter I just burst into tears. I put it back in the envelope as I couldn’t deal with it for another day.
“I already face so many difficulties as it is. I can’t handle the stress of having bailiffs arrive at my property.
“I am disgusted by the council’s behaviour.”
Rejected appeal
The basic £70 parking ticket was issued in January.
The local authority rejected two appeals, claiming it was right to issue the fine as the badge was not displayed clearly, which pushed the amount owed up to £105.
Ms White appealed again to an independent hearing but she fell ill and could not attend to defend her case.
After this, she said she paid the amount owed in full.
A letter was then sent on behalf of the council by IBIS debt recovery team on Tuesday claiming £18.20 was still owed.
Ms White said: “I still do not know where they got this figure from.
“Why did they not contact me to say I owed money? All I could go off was the documents they sent me.
“I’ve already paid the charge as I didn’t want the threat hanging over me.”
A council spokeswoman said: “In this case such a small amount shouldn’t have been pursued.
“All action on this case has stopped and the amount already paid has cleared the notice.”
Comments(16)
Hove Actually
says...
7:22pm Sat 1 Sep 12
They rely on threatening letters to make people pay as if everyone appealed the ticket more would win and the rest would end up in a log jammed system.
mr punch
says...
7:44pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Vigilia
says...
7:52pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Rocco10
says...
9:41pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Unbias
says...
10:10pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Vigilia wrote:Well said.
And in 2009, Black Rock car park was occupied by travellers of one sort or another for 96 days when not a penny in parking charges was collected. Regardless of the party in power, this Council's attitude to fairness and the rule of law is a national disgrace.
longman
says...
11:02pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Dr.Draconian
says...
11:04pm Sat 1 Sep 12
Its not like the heavies turned up on her door.
But then the 'story' wouldn't sound so sensational....eh Argus.
nicole/bob
says...
3:55am Sun 2 Sep 12
Suggest if she has any further problems with this parking fine thing, she contacts our local Councillor (Ruth Buckley) who is an exceptionally caring and involving person.
Shame on you posters who have made such nasty remarks!
Bob, Wilbury area, Hove.
Old Ale Man
says...
7:51am Sun 2 Sep 12
davyboy wrote:Sorry davyboy can't agree with the last line of your comment and Hove Actualy your right everyone that gets a ticket should appeal and make their excuse(s) even if they know they are wrong, trouble is most dont they just say oh its not worth the bother, but it is, I know it is, not only does it clog up the system by delaying paying. but there's a good chance they will accept your excuse(s) and quash the fine.
yet again some 'heavihandidness' from the parking people over a minor indiscretion. i cannot understand why a ticket 'has' to be issued if the badge is on display, whether you can see the whole, or only part of the badge. enforcement officers need to be allowed to use commonsense in situations like this, and not blindly follow some stupid rules. i realise many cannot speak english very well, but they still have brains
jagiwatch
says...
8:06am Sun 2 Sep 12
chrisinbrighton
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9:04am Sun 2 Sep 12
NickBrt
says...
9:10am Sun 2 Sep 12
made up
says...
10:57am Sun 2 Sep 12
0 sympathy from me. These stories surface from time to time so if I park somewhere, I make sure my ticket\badge is visible and correct and haven't ever recieved a ticket.
PorkBoat
says...
3:31pm Sun 2 Sep 12
mr punch wrote:It makes a lovely headline for people to get indignant about.
just a little aministration slip up, why did she get in such a tizz if it was already paid? Silly woman!
boblat
says...
5:25pm Sun 2 Sep 12
The ''Jonus'' who betrayed my confidence is a Green councillor from Norwich named Marcus Hemsley, a double dealing RAT who promised to help me. After I sent him copies of all my evidence I never heard another word from him, but watched further cover ups going on under my window in my street....BHCC, you still owe me £140.00 plus interest since last October....Pay up cowards!!!!
davyboy says...
6:59pm Sat 1 Sep 12