Restaurant boss would ‘rather go to prison’ than pay £70 fine for loading self-isolators food in coronavirus lockdown
A RESTAURANT owner slapped with a £70 fine as he loaded his car with food for people self-isolating during the coronavirus lockdown says he’ll go to prison before he pays up.
Tim Roberts, who owns Number 29 Bar and Restaurant in Burnham Market, Norfolk, says he’s “absolutely furious” after being handed a ticket outside his eatery.
Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates
Now he says he’ll go to court to fight the fine, which was handed out while he parked on a single yellow line.
He told the Eastern Daily Press: “I don’t care about the money, it’s the principle of it.
“I won’t be paying it – I’ll go to court and if the court order me to pay it I’ll go to prison, I don’t care.
“I told the inspector I was loading because we’re doing deliveries for people who are self-isolating.
“He just said ‘That’s not my problem’, slapped the ticket down and walked off.
“I was absolutely furious.”
‘I’LL GO TO JAIL’
It comes days after a new dad videoed a parking warden dishing out tickets to cars parked near a hospital.
Outraged Kieran Tompsett had been in Lister Hospital in Stevenage, Herts, to see the birth of his daughter on Monday when he witnessed the man giving out tickets.
GMB presenter Piers Morgan also vowed earlier this week to pay fines given to NHS workers who were caught out.
Now Mr Roberts says he’ll contest the £70 charge from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk.
However, the council has stood by the ticket, saying it will continue to send parking officers out to ensure roads are kept clear for “emergency and essential services”.
An official said: “The government guidance is that local councils will continue to carry out crucial parking enforcement locally to ensure the public are kept safe and that the roads remain clear for emergency and essential services.
CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW
Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.
To receive The Sun’s Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply ‘Like’ our Coronavirus page.
Get Britain’s best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day – find out more.
“If the complainant was parked on a yellow line where there are no loading restrictions and was unloading or loading, then he should challenge the ticket issued in the normal way.”
Although Mr Roberts closed his business due the outbreak, he will continue delivering food to people’s homes.
He said he had also been asked to assist the county council’s adult social care team in getting deliveries to people in need.
The businessman said: “I want the council to apologise to me, and also to the people we are delivering to in the Burnham area because we’re the only ones around here who are doing it – and I want them to reprimand the guy who gave this ticket.”
Most read in news
In some areas, parking wardens are being taken off the streets during the Covid-19 crisis.
Although doctors, police, firefighters and utilities workers are classed as ‘key workers’, the case varies for the wardens, who are considered ‘civil enforcement’.
However, members of the public are asked to consult their local authorities for more specific information about whether parking restrictions are in force in their areas.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368 . You can WhatsApp us on 07810 791 502. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.