A granddad who was fined three months after parking in Bury has slammed the “ridiculous” penalty notice.
Eddie Valentine was handed the £100 charge after using the Paradise Mill car park in November 2021.
The 72-year-old claims he paid and used the car park as he normally would.
But months later in February, he received a £60 parking fine in the post.
The letter, from Car Park Securities, which owns the site, claimed he used the car park without paying.
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Eddie, who lives in Rossendale, had thrown away his ticket by the time he received the fine.
Adamant to prove his innocence, his wife Helen posted about the ordeal on Facebook to warn others.
The couple reached out to a group who helped them challenge the fine.
They drafted up their first letter of appeal and emailed it to the parking company.
Not long after, they received a second letter increasing the penalty to £100.
The couple contested the fine again and sent a second letter of appeal.
On Monday (March 7), they received a letter stating the charge would be dismissed.
The letter reads: “The appeal has been reviewed.
“I can see from our records the ticket was issued due to the registration plate being input incorrectly we are prepared on this occasion to cancel the notice.
“Please in future ensure you input the details correctly in order to ensure you do not receive any further parking charge notices.”
Although the fine has been cancelled, Eddie has branded the ordeal “ridiculous”.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, he said: “I’ve been under a lot of stress with this I must confess.
“They’re saying I did get a ticket but I put the details in wrong, which is ridiculous.
“I know the registration plate like the back of my hand.
“I was shocked, really. I’m very methodical and always have been.
“It was two months after the offence when I got the letter which seems like a long time.
“Most people might keep their ticket for a day or two and then get rid.
“I’m 72 yeas of age, I know exactly what I’m doing. My memory isn’t fading or anything.
“I’ve worked all my life and I’ve never been in any trouble or done anything wrong.
“I don’t like being ripped off.
“It’s a shame for the people who paid.”
Car Park Securities did not respond when approached for comment by the Manchester Evening News.
