Mum cruelly slapped with £100 parking fine while she miscarried in hospital faces court

A single mother[1] of two is being taken to court by a “diabolical” private parking firm after she went over the time limit as she suffered a miscarriage in hospital[2]. Sharna Cooper, 32, from Strelley, Nottingham, travelled to A&E[3] at the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) earlier this year after she endured heavy bleeding. The mum was admitted to a ward and was given the devastating news of a miscarriage by doctors.

She was forced to undergo treatment during her visit whilst her car was parked nearby. The mum has hit out at the parking firm after they vowed to take her to court despite her claiming she only went over her stay by 45 minutes. The mum-of-two says she has desperately tried to appeal the fine for several months.

It has since been reported that the parking company were initially unaware why the mum was admitted to hospital, however, after being informed by local media, they doubled down on their decision and said they remained “satisfied that the parking charge was correctly issued.” Ms Cooper said: “It took months for them to say that they were not willing to put my appeal into consideration. I was on holiday at the time so I didn’t see it until I got back and I ended up with the debt collectors sending a letter. “I told them what I’d been through and then I didn’t hear anything from August up until the other week when a letter came through saying the case was being sent to court.”

In its June 9 letter telling Ms Cooper that her appeal was unsuccessful, Vehicle Control Services said signs at the car park are clear that a GBP100 penalty will be issued if vehicles park outside of the terms and conditions displayed. The letter also said that the RingGo parking app allows motorists to extend their stay without heading back to the car park itself. The letter said: “Motorists should ensure that they check the expiry time before leaving their vehicle parked, as it is their responsibility to ensure that they are able to return to their vehicle before the stated time, or else to purchase more time if thought necessary…

We have noted your comments regarding the circumstances surrounding you and would like to offer our deepest sympathies to you at this time.”

The diffuser oil that makes your home ‘smell divine’ is now 60% off[4]Ms Cooper was admitted to the Queen’s Medical Centre (QMC) for treatment (Joseph Raynor/ Nottingham Post)

The company offered Ms Cooper a reduced fine but by the time she got back off holiday, the time limit on this reduced offer had already expired. She says with court costs added on, she is now facing a charge of around GBP255, reports Nottinghamshire Live[5]. Ms Cooper says she is now working with a Citizens Advice team and initially intends to represent herself in court, though no date has yet been fixed for a hearing.

In terms of the company’s arguments, Ms Cooper said: “There was no physical way I could have gone to the car park and added time on and even if I had the app, my parking was the last thing on my mind after what I’d been through. I just don’t want anyone else to go through this situation, if somebody has lost a parent or been through anything like that, they shouldn’t get badgered about a parking ticket.” But a representative from Vehicle Control Services Ltd said: “The Leen Gate is a Pay and Display Car Park with manual patrols.

Ms Cooper received a Parking Charge for failure to pay the tariff which she could have completed at the terminal or using the Pay by Phone service. “Ms Cooper exercised her right to appeal and was offered a reduced settlement charge in light of her situation. This was not paid and as such the notice continued to debt recovery.

“Had the reduced charge been paid, there would have been no further action.” The Mirror has contacted the parking firm for comment.

References

1. ^ mother (www.mirror.co.uk)
2. ^ hospital (www.mirror.co.uk)
3. ^ A&E (www.mirror.co.uk)
4. ^ The diffuser oil that makes your home ‘smell divine’ is now 60% off (www.mirror.co.uk)
5. ^ reports Nottinghamshire Live (www.nottinghampost.com)