Pay up and shut up over parking fine

If Mr Beckett was after the sympathy vote by bringing this story to the attention of the press he certainly hasn’t got mine. Mr Beckett is a retired police inspector for goodness sake. He can hardly plead innocence or that he did not know that it is illegal to park on double yellow lines. Perhaps he thought that as an ex-bobby he was above the law?

He took a calculated risk when he parked illegally and admits that he expected he would not be prosecuted. Mr Beckett complains that “there is no discretion, no common sense and no grey area with them (the council) – its all black and white.” The law is black and white Mr Beckett – as an ex-police Inspector you of all people should know that!

Mr Beckett feels victimised because Rotherham Borough Council have not let the matter drop – I can bet that he would not have instructed his police officers to let things drop when dealing with other motorists who flouted the law. I hope the council officers stick to their guns and if necessary pursue him through the courts for the full amount, including costs.

Mr Beckett had deliberately let the situation escalate. He had been given ample opportunity to pay up, and had received numerous written warnings of the consequences if he did not. The bailiffs when they finally called at his house were only doing their job, and were acting in a lawful manner.

As for Mr Beckett’s alleged panic attack over the incident, what a waste of valuable police and ambulance resource – 5 police officers, 2 police cars and an ambulance called to the scene! Mr Beckett should have paid his £40.00 fine in the first instance. It serves him right that he has let it accumulate to over £900. I reckon that even if he ends up paying the full amount, it will still be a snip from his gold-plated police inspector’s pension.

Double yellow lines mean no parking and have been put there for a reason – usually road safety. Mr Beckett - Pay up and shut up.

Greg Parva, Dalton Parva, Rotherham.