Do photos by a citizen count as evidence of illegal parking?

Questionerhere

Some months ago I parked on double yellow lines and had one side of the car on the pavement. It was because I needed to get an asthma inhaler for someone from a pharmacy as an emergency. I was parked there for about two minutes.

A passer by took pictures of my cay and a no parking sign on a pole next to it. I didn't want to confront them because I needed to quickly get the medication to the suffering person.

Some days/weeks later a got a letter from UK Car Park Management saying that I hadn't paid the PCN fine. I never received the initial PCN letter. I honestly didn't take it seriously because it looked like a scam. I thought if it was to be taken seriously it would be from the council or at least it would be an initial PCN letter. So I threw it away. I think it had the pictures on it.

Now I have a letter from Gladstones Solicitors asking for £170 or they take me to court.

I am pessimistic about my chances in court because I was in the wrong for parking there. I can't see the judge accepting my emergency excuse without evidence. My questions are: 1, Is there a way out given that they never sent me a PCN and just sent a letter stating that I had failed to pay the PCN? 2, Can a citizen's pictures be used as evidence by them?

LDast

There was no "fine" and nothing "illegal" has occurred so please stop getting yourself in frenzy by using irrelevant terminology. You must read the Newbies/FAQ thread to get your ed around all this and how to deal with it.

No one who follows the advice pays a penny to UKCPM.

Gr1pr

1) you do not know that,  you are making an assumption,  it may be true,  it may not be true

2) possibly,  if that person us working on their behalf 

You were stopped, not parked, for a very short time certainly not enough of a consideration period 

There was no fine, just a pcn invoice from a private parking company 

I doubt that it was illegal 

KeithP

Where exactly did this alleged parking event take place?

Questionerhere

KeithP said:

Where exactly did this alleged parking event take place?

It was on a road right outside of a pharmacy with double yellow lines. I don't know why there was a UK CPM "no parking" sign there except that there is a block of flats above the line of shops with private parking for residents and shoppers around the place. But the car was on a road where cars drive.

Coupon-mad

Keith meant where EXACTLY? Google Streetview link please?

We are not pessimistic about your chances with defending a claim and many Gladstones cases go no further than a LBC in our experience.

You can stop on Double Yellows you know. Perfectly legitimate if collecting a pre-ordered item (loading). DYL don't mean no stopping.

fisherjim

Questionerhere said:

KeithP said:

Where exactly did this alleged parking event take place?

It was on a road right outside of a pharmacy with double yellow lines. I don't know why there was a UK CPM "no parking" sign there except that there is a block of flats above the line of shops with private parking for residents and shoppers around the place. But the car was on a road where cars drive.

Sounds like private land to me, you would have been better on the road where DYL's mean what they mean, on private land they mean what ever the scamming parking company want them too mean to catch you out!

KeithP

Questionerhere said:

KeithP said:

Where exactly did this alleged parking event take place?

It was on a road right outside of a pharmacy with double yellow lines.

Crikey!!

I wonder how many pharmacies there are in the country?
I suppose it refines the search somewhat by mentioning the double yellows.   

But sorry, I won't be performing that search.

FastFord81

similar to.my case. I parked in thr light grey concrete lay by instead of a white marked bay. 
No yellow line, or grid box and no sign saying don't park here.

Do you think I'll have a defense when I get to that stage.


Sorry for jumping on.

fisherjim

FastFord81 said:

similar to.my case. I parked in thr light grey concrete lay by instead of a white marked bay. 
No yellow line, or grid box and no sign saying don't park here.

Do you think I'll have a defense when I get to that stage.


Sorry for jumping on.

Don't apologise just start your own thread!

Coupon-mad

Is that the right map for this thread or not?  If not, it needs deleting.