Braintree: Mum "disgusted" with £75 parking fine at Braintree Freeport

1:00pm Saturday 23rd June 2012 in News

Braintree: Mum "disgusted" with £75 parking fine at Braintree Freeport Braintree: Mum "disgusted" with £75 parking fine at Braintree Freeport

A mum is “disgusted” she has received a £75 fine from a shopping centre for parking in a disabled space.

Leanne Hammond, 23, went to Braintree Freeport last Saturday with her baby son, her mum Susan Dawson, 50, and her younger sister but found that all of the designated ‘mother and child’ parking spaces had already been taken.

Read this week's Times for the full story.

Comments (27)

1:54pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Ontheball says...

No sympathy whatsoever. In fact a selfish attitude toward those less able than herself!!
No sympathy whatsoever. In fact a selfish attitude toward those less able than herself!! Ontheball

2:24pm Sat 23 Jun 12

dksmile says...

shame on her !! If theres no spaces in parent and child then there is none, I would never is a million years then just park in a disabled space, those are for people with disabilites !!

respect to the parking attendants for giving her a ticket, hopefully she will think twice next time !!!
shame on her !! If theres no spaces in parent and child then there is none, I would never is a million years then just park in a disabled space, those are for people with disabilites !! respect to the parking attendants for giving her a ticket, hopefully she will think twice next time !!! dksmile

2:27pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Missimo says...

Serves her right, It's a huge car park with plenty of other spaces!
Serves her right, It's a huge car park with plenty of other spaces! Missimo

2:43pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Top_Gooner says...

Only £75.00 ??? Should have been £750.00. The arrogance of this woman is astounding. Disabled bays are there for disabled people, not selfish women, who can't be bothered to park in the available spaces.
Only £75.00 ??? Should have been £750.00. The arrogance of this woman is astounding. Disabled bays are there for disabled people, not selfish women, who can't be bothered to park in the available spaces. Top_Gooner

2:59pm Sat 23 Jun 12

bitter_bugger says...

I am not sure what the bigger problem here is. By printing this utterly detestable story of a woman who decided her child was a disability it only highlights the rediculous expectations of a selfish few that seek to take no responsibility for their own actions. Not sure if we should blame the perpetrator or the papers that printed such things.
I am not sure what the bigger problem here is. By printing this utterly detestable story of a woman who decided her child was a disability it only highlights the rediculous expectations of a selfish few that seek to take no responsibility for their own actions. Not sure if we should blame the perpetrator or the papers that printed such things. bitter_bugger

3:11pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Spans1986 says...

Disabled people need those spaces! If no parent & child spaces left, tough! it's a huge car park - plenty of spaces. Pay the fine, learn your lesson and get over it!
Disabled people need those spaces! If no parent & child spaces left, tough! it's a huge car park - plenty of spaces. Pay the fine, learn your lesson and get over it! Spans1986

4:52pm Sat 23 Jun 12

jut1972 says...

Well done to the parking attendants. The womans a selfish idiot.
Now hopefully she will think about her actions.
Well done to the parking attendants. The womans a selfish idiot. Now hopefully she will think about her actions. jut1972

4:53pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Bit_Bytr says...

Where I live it's a hundred and sixty quid and if you're unlucky, the car'll be towed resulting in another 90 pounds to get it out of the impound yard.

I got into it with another younger, self-entitled ember of the community who thought it was OK to take a disabled spot. He refused to see or try to understand the rationale behind the spots and the reasons to respect them. Unbelievable! (As a matter of fact, my father needs to use those spots: he has Crohn's and often is taken "short" so requires the ability to be either close to his car or a bathroom facility.)

I agreed fully with the previous commenters' posts.
Where I live it's a hundred and sixty quid and if you're unlucky, the car'll be towed resulting in another 90 pounds to get it out of the impound yard. I got into it with another younger, self-entitled ember of the community who thought it was OK to take a disabled spot. He refused to see or try to understand the rationale behind the spots and the reasons to respect them. Unbelievable! (As a matter of fact, my father needs to use those spots: he has Crohn's and often is taken "short" so requires the ability to be either close to his car or a bathroom facility.) I agreed fully with the previous commenters' posts. Bit_Bytr

8:11pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Bit_Bytr says...

Who said the Canucks don't have a sense of humour???!!!

LOL
Who said the Canucks don't have a sense of humour???!!! LOL Bit_Bytr

9:49pm Sat 23 Jun 12

bitter_bugger says...

What I find amazingly funny is that she saved herself 30 yards of walking, so she could walk round the shops!
What I find amazingly funny is that she saved herself 30 yards of walking, so she could walk round the shops! bitter_bugger

10:59pm Sat 23 Jun 12

makeupyermind says...

bitter_bugger wrote:
What I find amazingly funny is that she saved herself 30 yards of walking, so she could walk round the shops!
Got it in one b_b.
[quote][p][bold]bitter_bugger[/bold] wrote: What I find amazingly funny is that she saved herself 30 yards of walking, so she could walk round the shops![/p][/quote]Got it in one b_b. makeupyermind

6:07am Sun 24 Jun 12

StopLookListen says...

It is a relief to see that the entire response on this strand is in favour of the fine.
.
Admittedly it is a big shock to get clobbered in this way, but try putting yourself in the shoes of someone who needs walking aids for example. It all looks easy, doesn't it? You don't know until you are in that position, that nothing is easy. Helping your legs hurts the arms that support the body on the walker.
.
This woman has a car, we all know the price of running it, the cost of fuel etc. £75 is not such a vast sum of money, and let's hope it not only teaches her a lesson, but sends a signal to other selfish, disabled-haters.
.
My disabled other half is now no longer with me, but I will never forget the hate and spite directed towards us at times, just because we had a blue ticket. "Families" loading up beers, spirits and barbecue foods just as an extra for the weekend, maliciously resented us parking in a space nearer to the shops. I think their main worry was that we got "something for nothing" in areas where they had to pay! (parking probably cost half what they had spent on just one of their beer pack).
.
I frequently notice this attitude in posts about High St parking etc. It is assumed that "everyone" with a blue badge gets a free car, no tax and so on. This is not so, a person who is registered disabled after they have retired only gets the parking badge. That's it, full stop, where driving is concerned.
It is a relief to see that the entire response on this strand is in favour of the fine. . Admittedly it is a big shock to get clobbered in this way, but try putting yourself in the shoes of someone who needs walking aids for example. It all looks easy, doesn't it? You don't know until you are in that position, that nothing is easy. Helping your legs hurts the arms that support the body on the walker. . This woman has a car, we all know the price of running it, the cost of fuel etc. £75 is not such a vast sum of money, and let's hope it not only teaches her a lesson, but sends a signal to other selfish, disabled-haters. . My disabled other half is now no longer with me, but I will never forget the hate and spite directed towards us at times, just because we had a blue ticket. "Families" loading up beers, spirits and barbecue foods just as an extra for the weekend, maliciously resented us parking in a space nearer to the shops. I think their main worry was that we got "something for nothing" in areas where they had to pay! (parking probably cost half what they had spent on just one of their beer pack). . I frequently notice this attitude in posts about High St parking etc. It is assumed that "everyone" with a blue badge gets a free car, no tax and so on. This is not so, a person who is registered disabled after they have retired only gets the parking badge. That's it, full stop, where driving is concerned. StopLookListen

9:48am Sun 24 Jun 12

aj77 says...

I appreciate that having a child means that you need a bigger space to be able to open the doors wide enough to get your child out easily and safely, but she had both her mother and her sister with her. She could have easily let her mum, sister and child out of the car first and then found a regular parking space for herself.
I appreciate that having a child means that you need a bigger space to be able to open the doors wide enough to get your child out easily and safely, but she had both her mother and her sister with her. She could have easily let her mum, sister and child out of the car first and then found a regular parking space for herself. aj77

5:48pm Sun 24 Jun 12

D_danger says...

but u only lve a 2 min wlk 4rm freeport, pt ur Icandy pushchair 2 gd use!!!!
but u only lve a 2 min wlk 4rm freeport, pt ur Icandy pushchair 2 gd use!!!! D_danger

7:27am Mon 25 Jun 12

Omelette says...

Wow, you really are a nasty bunch.
Yes it's her own fault for parking in a disabled parking bay, but I wonder how many of those parked in the Mother & Baby bays actually had children with them. And it's not about how far you have to walk, there is more space in those bays to get children in and out of the car. I don't even have any children and I know that.
Wow, you really are a nasty bunch. Yes it's her own fault for parking in a disabled parking bay, but I wonder how many of those parked in the Mother & Baby bays actually had children with them. And it's not about how far you have to walk, there is more space in those bays to get children in and out of the car. I don't even have any children and I know that. Omelette

8:46am Mon 25 Jun 12

Bhudeeka says...

What a vile woman you people with kids think you have god given rights to everything youdont! I wish as someone else had said that it was £750 and not £75 - selfish mare
What a vile woman you people with kids think you have god given rights to everything youdont! I wish as someone else had said that it was £750 and not £75 - selfish mare Bhudeeka

8:47am Mon 25 Jun 12

Bhudeeka says...

oh and the baby in your arms for a sympathy vote is hogwash having a baby is a life choice being disabled isnt
oh and the baby in your arms for a sympathy vote is hogwash having a baby is a life choice being disabled isnt Bhudeeka

11:56am Mon 25 Jun 12

JAXINTHEBOX says...

Pleeeeease ... give the lady a break! I too got a parking ticket at Freeport for parking in a disabled bay for 6 mins having a lot of parcels to go back to next courier service. No other cars in the area at all on a Tuesday at 1.01. Mini Hitler, swooped and gave me a ticket to which the Freeport Manager said .. hard luck. If you don't like it, don't come back. Dont go to that sh*thole any more, take my business to Lakeside and free parking!! paid the fine to a Company called G4 but would advise her NOT TO PAY as there is nothing they can do I have since found out!
Pleeeeease ... give the lady a break! I too got a parking ticket at Freeport for parking in a disabled bay for 6 mins having a lot of parcels to go back to next courier service. No other cars in the area at all on a Tuesday at 1.01. Mini Hitler, swooped and gave me a ticket to which the Freeport Manager said .. hard luck. If you don't like it, don't come back. Dont go to that sh*thole any more, take my business to Lakeside and free parking!! paid the fine to a Company called G4 but would advise her NOT TO PAY as there is nothing they can do I have since found out! JAXINTHEBOX

12:04pm Mon 25 Jun 12

Bhudeeka says...

so jaxinthebox is causing people to break law hope you are disabled one day and no parking space free see how you like it it makes no difference if they are empty you are not disabled dont use them
so jaxinthebox is causing people to break law hope you are disabled one day and no parking space free see how you like it it makes no difference if they are empty you are not disabled dont use them Bhudeeka

12:29pm Mon 25 Jun 12

JAXINTHEBOX says...

@Bhudeeka ... I am waiting for an assessment for badge at moment but am not one of those needy people who are 'disabled'. What a charmer you are to hope that one day someone becomes disabled. My point is WHY DO FREEPORT feel the need for so many of these spaces!! They can't ever have that many 'disabled peopled visit there at once. In fact they are lucky for have anyone there in the week, a face that will be supported by store staff!!
@Bhudeeka ... I am waiting for an assessment for badge at moment but am not one of those needy people who are 'disabled'. What a charmer you are to hope that one day someone becomes disabled. My point is WHY DO FREEPORT feel the need for so many of these spaces!! They can't ever have that many 'disabled peopled visit there at once. In fact they are lucky for have anyone there in the week, a face that will be supported by store staff!! JAXINTHEBOX

12:47pm Mon 25 Jun 12

artdecofan says...

Makes my blood boil!!No sympathy at all with the stupid, selfish and ignorant woman. I'm afraid that she is far from the only one, and wish that every supermarket and public car park had attendants as determined to stop these cretins parking in Disabled spaces.
Makes my blood boil!!No sympathy at all with the stupid, selfish and ignorant woman. I'm afraid that she is far from the only one, and wish that every supermarket and public car park had attendants as determined to stop these cretins parking in Disabled spaces. artdecofan

1:04pm Tue 26 Jun 12

fradford says...

Vile, disgusting, ignorant, stupid, selfish - exactly what I think when blue badge holders park in parent and child designated spaces!
Vile, disgusting, ignorant, stupid, selfish - exactly what I think when blue badge holders park in parent and child designated spaces! fradford

2:45pm Tue 26 Jun 12

fradford says...

sKorch wrote:
fradford wrote:
Vile, disgusting, ignorant, stupid, selfish - exactly what I think when blue badge holders park in parent and child designated spaces!
A Blue Badge indicates that the Holder of such has more of a problem than parents with children, and so they can override such a sign and take priority.
Maybe you would like to think again on your comment???
No I would not like to think again on my comment, a blue badge does not indicate you have more of a problem than someone else simply that it is recognised you may have a problem. I can assure you it can be very problematic in car parks with getting small children in and out of cars. I simply want to make the point that people have different needs and we should respect these. To clarify, I do not agree that the lady should not of been fined but the words being used to describe this lady (which I used in my original comment and no doubt provoked your subsequent comment) were completely disproportionate to the 'crime'.
[quote][p][bold]sKorch[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]fradford[/bold] wrote: Vile, disgusting, ignorant, stupid, selfish - exactly what I think when blue badge holders park in parent and child designated spaces![/p][/quote]A Blue Badge indicates that the Holder of such has more of a problem than parents with children, and so they can override such a sign and take priority. Maybe you would like to think again on your comment???[/p][/quote]No I would not like to think again on my comment, a blue badge does not indicate you have more of a problem than someone else simply that it is recognised you may have a problem. I can assure you it can be very problematic in car parks with getting small children in and out of cars. I simply want to make the point that people have different needs and we should respect these. To clarify, I do not agree that the lady should not of been fined but the words being used to describe this lady (which I used in my original comment and no doubt provoked your subsequent comment) were completely disproportionate to the 'crime'. fradford

9:23am Wed 27 Jun 12

fradford says...

Harsh words Bit_Bytr. Anyone would think I agreed with this lady parking in a disabled bay at Freeport - I do not. How arrogant of me to suggest everyone should be considerate towards other car park users and respect others differing (not necessarily greater) needs.
Harsh words Bit_Bytr. Anyone would think I agreed with this lady parking in a disabled bay at Freeport - I do not. How arrogant of me to suggest everyone should be considerate towards other car park users and respect others differing (not necessarily greater) needs. fradford

6:12pm Wed 27 Jun 12

theranderson says...

This woman deserves her fine, as does the person who posted above for parking in a disabled space. 'There's no one here now, so what's the harm?' Because there might be disabled people arriving shortly, and you've just deprived someone of a space. You're all disgusting, vile, cretinous filth and a £75 fine isn't enough. Take your business to Lakeside, because if I saw someone without a badge parking in a disabled space at Freeport, or anywhere else, I'd immediately report them.
This woman deserves her fine, as does the person who posted above for parking in a disabled space. 'There's no one here now, so what's the harm?' Because there might be disabled people arriving shortly, and you've just deprived someone of a space. You're all disgusting, vile, cretinous filth and a £75 fine isn't enough. Take your business to Lakeside, because if I saw someone without a badge parking in a disabled space at Freeport, or anywhere else, I'd immediately report them. theranderson

9:49pm Wed 27 Jun 12

makeupyermind says...

quite from Fradford.

a blue badge does not indicate you have more of a problem than someone else simply that it is recognised you may have a problem.

There's no "may" about it fradford. People aren't awarded a Blue Badge because they MAY have a problem. Its a certainty I can assure you.
quite from Fradford. a blue badge does not indicate you have more of a problem than someone else simply that it is recognised you may have a problem. There's no "may" about it fradford. People aren't awarded a Blue Badge because they MAY have a problem. Its a certainty I can assure you. makeupyermind

12:38pm Sat 30 Jun 12

kevinbeachboy says...

deserves her right as other options for her but as its private car park, there is no law to enforce the ticket or too pay.as its on private land,
she simply ignores it, if they continue to write to her you can then tell them to stop hassling you,,
deserves her right as other options for her but as its private car park, there is no law to enforce the ticket or too pay.as its on private land, she simply ignores it, if they continue to write to her you can then tell them to stop hassling you,, kevinbeachboy

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