I’m being dragged to court after breastfeeding my baby in a car park – they’re making me pay £400 fine & it’s SO unfair
A FUMING mum has hit out at a parking operator for dragging her to court over a £400 fine she was issued while breastfeeding her baby in a car park.
The penalty was originally £60 and allegedly came a year late but has been heavily increased twice while she fought back against the decision.
Joanna Webb, 41, picked up the fine while she stopped at South Mimms services with her nine-month-old daughter Freya and mum Sue.
After popping into M&S for some snacks, she then sat in the car and breastfed little Freya before heading on with their journey.
Unfortunately, she claims that she didn't spot the signs in the car park declaring a maximum stay of just 30 minutes.
As a result, she had only just finished feeding her baby when she pulled out of the services 49 minutes after arriving.
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She was stunned, therefore, when a penalty notice from MET Parking Services dropped through the letterbox in July last year, almost a year after the offence took place.
She said: "I couldn't understand how I'd got a parking fine.
"It just doesn't feel fair.
"I literally stayed because I needed to feed my baby and my mum needed to use the restroom.
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"I don't deserve this and I don't feel my situation is being catered for.
"This is a massive amount of money for me...I'm a single mum on a budget.
"Why put a shop and facilities if you don't allow people enough time to use them?"
The penalty notice demanded £100, dropping to £60 if paid early, but she contacted MET to try and explain her situation.
Since then, it has risen to £170 and then again to £400 as the dispute raged on.
Joanna is now heading into mediation on November 20, defending herself against the fine.
She added: "This is very upsetting and stressful.
"I'm self-employed. I probably earn between £25,000 and £27,000 a year, and I don't get sick pay or holiday.
"I don't have any money for myself.
"My mortgage comes up for renewal in 18 months. If I get a CCJ I might not get another mortgage - then what will I do?
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"They said they could have waved the fee if I'd told them I needed to feed my baby, but how could I tell them if I didn't see the signs and didn't know there was a 30-minute limit?"
SunMotors has contacted MET Parking Services for comment.