Man, 89, 'clobbered' with fine despite not parking

An 89-year-old driver said he was "clobbered" with a parking fine despite deciding against using a car park because he was unable to use his "old Nokia phone" to pay via an app.

Roland Nice had spent 30 years using the Swan Lane car park in Haverhill, Suffolk, without issue.

However, on 7 August, after driving his white van to the car park and looking at two ticket machines, he realised he could no longer use cash.

After eight minutes of struggling to work out how to pay, the former council worker drove off and parked elsewhere, only to receive a £60 fine from operator Napier Parking Ltd a few days later. The firm has been contacted by the BBC for comment.

"I went in and of course you've got to use an app, so I couldn't pay because I've got an old Nokia phone, which is just annoying," said Nice, who lives in Bury St Edmunds.

"I got back in my [van] and went out, and then, blow me, about a week later I get a ticket for £60, or £100 if I don't pay – I couldn't believe it.

"I'm sure I'm not the only person that has this problem."

Nice was in Haverhill after deciding to "go for a ride" and said he spent about £160 in the town's shops.

He said he spent eight minutes in the car park before leaving due to using a stick to get around – which slows him down - and having to walk between two ticket machines.

"So anybody could just drive in and out and possibly get a ticket for £60," he said.

"I thought other people who might fall for that trap should know."

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