Grandad, 67, vows to go to court to fight 'grossly unfair' £160 parking ticket

A grandad has been threatened with court action as he refuses to pay a 'grossly unfair' parking fine. Colin Christie, 67, now says he fears debt collectors could soon "be banging at the door" due to the row regarding just over 10 minutes spent in a Cheshire car park where he claims he was unable to pay.

Mr Christie drove into the car park on Canal Street in Chester on December 30 last year. However, he says less he left less than 12 minutes later because he could not successfully pay for a ticket on the pay and display meter, The grandad-of-four, from the village of Bunbury near Crewe has labelled the machine as 'not fit for purpose.' He said the screen "was almost impossible to read" and that visibility was further impeded by the sunlight.

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Unable to work it, he then attempted to pay online but was unable to so gave up and drove out of the car park having "made a genuine effort to pay" reports Cheshire Live.After receiving the fine, Mr Christie immediately appealed to the car park operator I Park Services Ltd and claims his fine was reduced to £20 as a result. But, firmly believing that he should not have to pay any penalty, he took his case to the Independent Appeals Service.

Mr Christie was "dismayed" to find earlier this year that the adjudicator ruled in favour of the car park operator and the fine was increased to £100.

Having refused to pay, Mr Christie received a 'final' debt recovery reminder letter on July 26 which says the penalty has now increased to £160, adding that he could be taken to court if the charge is not settled.He told Cheshire Live: "When you went in the meter was horrible. You couldn't read it. I