A terminally ill pensioner says she's been hounded by a parking company and debt collector for the last two months despite her fine being cancelled.
Isabel Gallagher from Glasgow, who has only been given six months to live due to a heart condition, went to Marks and Spencer at the Braehead Shopping Centre on April 28 and parked in the disabled spot outside of the store, Glasgow Live reports.
Unfortunately, the 80-year-old forgot to place her disabled parking badge on her dashboard and later received a fine from Premier Park, who operate the facility.
Isabel appealed the ticket but despite Premier Park agreeing to cancel the ticket, she was chased for two months by the company and debt collectors, Debt Recovery Plus.
Isabel's daughter, Jan McGowan said: "My mum was going to the Braehead shopping centre and she was parking at the disabled bay outside Marks and Spencers. She's had a disabled badge for 20 years.
"She also sometimes forgetting wee things, so she forgot to put her disabled badge up. She received a fine for £50 and I told her she wasn't paying it because she has a disabled badge.
"I appealed the decision and was told it could take 35 days to sort it out, but then a couple days after we received an email saying that it had been upheld. My mum then received a letter for £100, so I tried to contact them again but it was impossible.
"Later a debt collector sent her a letter and they tried to tell her it was a separate incident, but it wasn't. I was worried that this was all going to put her over the edge."
The battle with the companies has shaken Isabel as the chased for cash. As the dispute continued the fine increased to £100.
Jan continued: "My mum is frightened that every time she parks in the space she'll get a parking fine.
"Braehead is really the only place she goes during the day to get a few messages but this has really affected her.
"She is worried that they are doing this to other disabled people. I looked up the company on Trustpilot and there was a lot of the same issues being brought up."
Finally, after 61 days of fighting the fine the case against Isabel was closed. Debt Recovery Plus confirmed to Glasgow Live that the case was closed on July 5.
Premier Park have also been contacted for comment.
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