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Parking ticket fight costs £7,500 | Parking ticket fight costs £7,500 |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A motorist who persisted with a 20 month fight over a £60 parking ticket has ended up with a legal bill of £7,500 - and lost his case. | A motorist who persisted with a 20 month fight over a £60 parking ticket has ended up with a legal bill of £7,500 - and lost his case. |
Ryan Williams, 20, from Cardiff, went to magistrates court 13 times and crown court twice before admitting defeat. | |
As well as the £60 fine and £150 prosecution costs for the ticket issued in Cowbridge in February 2005 he has the huge bill from his solicitor. | As well as the £60 fine and £150 prosecution costs for the ticket issued in Cowbridge in February 2005 he has the huge bill from his solicitor. |
But Mr Williams said: "People might think I'm mad but I don't regret it." | But Mr Williams said: "People might think I'm mad but I don't regret it." |
The clerical officer with Cardiff council added: "I was determined to try to prove my innocence however much it cost. | The clerical officer with Cardiff council added: "I was determined to try to prove my innocence however much it cost. |
"I could not get legal aid because it was such a minor matter but I was determined to fight." | "I could not get legal aid because it was such a minor matter but I was determined to fight." |
I was so incensed at the injustice of it that I was determined to fight it all the way Ryan Williams | I was so incensed at the injustice of it that I was determined to fight it all the way Ryan Williams |
The saga started when he dropped off a passenger in the main street in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. | The saga started when he dropped off a passenger in the main street in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan. |
A police officer spotted Mr Williams, who earns £280 a week, and reported him for illegally parking on zig-zag lines near a zebra crossing. | A police officer spotted Mr Williams, who earns £280 a week, and reported him for illegally parking on zig-zag lines near a zebra crossing. |
But when he was handed a fixed penalty fine, Mr Williams denied being on the lines and his marathon fight began. | But when he was handed a fixed penalty fine, Mr Williams denied being on the lines and his marathon fight began. |
During the next 18 months Mr Williams appeared before Barry magistrates 13 times, taking a day's annual leave each time. | During the next 18 months Mr Williams appeared before Barry magistrates 13 times, taking a day's annual leave each time. |
The hearing was adjourned for a number of reasons - including missing witnesses, unavailable courtrooms for a full hearing and insufficient time to hear the case. | The hearing was adjourned for a number of reasons - including missing witnesses, unavailable courtrooms for a full hearing and insufficient time to hear the case. |
I feel an enormous amount of sympathy for Ryan - his point of principle has cost him dearly Solicitor Anthony O'Callaghan | I feel an enormous amount of sympathy for Ryan - his point of principle has cost him dearly Solicitor Anthony O'Callaghan |
He was eventually found guilty and ordered to pay the fine but Mr Williams appealed and made two more appearances at Cardiff Crown Court before conceding defeat. | He was eventually found guilty and ordered to pay the fine but Mr Williams appealed and made two more appearances at Cardiff Crown Court before conceding defeat. |
He said: "I stopped for a few seconds to drop off a passenger. I was near the zig zag lines of a pedestrian crossing but I did not stop on them as the police alleged. | He said: "I stopped for a few seconds to drop off a passenger. I was near the zig zag lines of a pedestrian crossing but I did not stop on them as the police alleged. |
'Adamant' | 'Adamant' |
"I was so incensed at the injustice of it that I was determined to fight it all the way. | "I was so incensed at the injustice of it that I was determined to fight it all the way. |
"I was disappointed to lose and it has cost me a lot but now I'm hoping to come to some sort of arrangement with my solicitor to pay the money." | "I was disappointed to lose and it has cost me a lot but now I'm hoping to come to some sort of arrangement with my solicitor to pay the money." |
Solicitor Anthony O'Callaghan who is planning to meet Mr Williams to make arrangements for payment said: "He was absolutely adamant at all times that he wanted to fight the case. | Solicitor Anthony O'Callaghan who is planning to meet Mr Williams to make arrangements for payment said: "He was absolutely adamant at all times that he wanted to fight the case. |
"I explained to him how much it was costing but he wanted to fight it all the way. | "I explained to him how much it was costing but he wanted to fight it all the way. |
"It should have been dealt with in two or three court appearances and I never imagined in my wildest nightmares it would take so long. | "It should have been dealt with in two or three court appearances and I never imagined in my wildest nightmares it would take so long. |
"I feel an enormous amount of sympathy for Ryan - his point of principle has cost him dearly." | "I feel an enormous amount of sympathy for Ryan - his point of principle has cost him dearly." |
A South Wales police spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned we were responsible for only one adjournment when one of the officers was on annual leave." | A South Wales police spokesman said: "As far as we are concerned we were responsible for only one adjournment when one of the officers was on annual leave." |
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