Councils' parking tribunal evidence probed by Exeter police
POLICE are investigating allegations that a council employee falsified details on a map which was given as evidence at a tribunal.
The probe was launched after concern was raised by Peter Harry who was given a penalty charge notice after he left his car parked in Southernhay East, Exeter, in March last year.
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Parking in Southernhay
The 67-year-old from Dawlish appealed against his fine and took the matter to a tribunal. He claimed the markings on the road were not legally correct.
An adjudicator ruled against him but after obtaining evidence from the tribunal, held in Manchester, Mr Harry went to the police with his concerns prompting a criminal investigation.
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He claims that a council worker from Exeter City Council or Devon County Council, both of which have responsibilities for administering parking in the city, had realised that Southernhay West had been wrongly put as the location on the penalty notice and had changed it to Southernhay to defend the appeal.
He said: “The councils provided a map, showing the location of my vehicle, underneath the marked reference placed on the map is the word Southernhay. On the PCN the location is given as Southernhay West.
“In actual fact I was parked in Southernhay East which would have made the PCN invalid. But sooner that cancel the ticket, I believe they decided to take another route in order to enforce the unenforceable by doctoring the map, which is an attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
Devon and Cornwall police confirmed yesterday that an allegation of perverting the course of justice was currently being investigated.
A spokesman said: “Police have made preliminary inquires following an allegation of perverting the course of justice in relation to documents being altered to assist a prosecution. At this stage we have not established if a crime has been committed so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this stage.”
It is understood that senior officers have been to Manchester and have seized documents which had been filed in relation to the appeal.
It is not clear at this stage which authority was responsible for carrying out the alleged alteration of the map.
No one from either the county or city council was available for comment yesterday.
Comments
by Dutch, Exeter
Saturday, December 04 2010, 8:19PM
“I want to congratulate Mr Peter Harry, who challenged the original (falsely) issued ticket and doggedly fought his corner, uncovering an almost institutional disregard for the parking regulations by Exeter City Council¿s misnamed ¿Parking Support Team¿ and even corruption in this particular case.
If only more people would challenge politicians, officialdom, bureaucrats and the invidious ¿Political-correctness Lobby¿, the UK would be a far better place to live!”
by Bob R, North of Watford
Thursday, February 25 2010, 1:15AM
“@ Anon. If thousands of pounds are to be spent, it is not as a result of Mr. Harry's contesting the allegation, it is as a result of a council employee falsifying evidence, submitted to the tribunal.
Such a crime is extremely serious, as it strikes at the heart of the justice system.
I doubt a lowly employee would do such a thing; what would be his motivation? I only hope the senior official, or councillor spends some time as aguest of Her Majesty, as would have been the case, had Mr. Harry falsified some documentation.”
by Peter, Dawlish
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 7:04PM
“I often wonder which planet some people come from. Anon writes,"At the end of the day he was still illegally parked."
If a parking bay does not give effect to the Traffic Regulation Order (A legal document), how on earth can someone be parked illegally.
Because some people do not understand the law they assume that it is alright for any authority to break any law they wish.”
by martin, Dawlish
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 12:26PM
“Well said Mr insignificant, I Ithink Anon has his head somewhere he should not.
It appears he is quite happy for an authority to act unlawfully, would he feel the same if it was him in the same position and was forced to pay an illegal fine.”
by Mr Insignificant, Uk
Wednesday, February 24 2010, 12:08PM
“Er, if the Council commit a crime then it is they who incur any cost to the taxpayer. By your logic a theif would have to steal thousands of pounds before being arrested, d'oh!”
by anon, Exeter
Tuesday, February 23 2010, 7:06PM
“So instead of paying a £60? fine this man spends thousands of tax payers money by being pedantic. At the end of the day he was still illegally parked whether is was Southernhay East or West! These are the people to blame for this years council tax hikes!”