A WOMAN has said she was prepared to go to court over a parking fine which was “wrongfully issued” after she had paid for a ticket in Bournemouth. 

Bournemouth resident Francy Miley said she has been “battling” with Horizon Parking for more than six months over a £150 fine received after parking in the Sovereign Shopping Centre in Boscombe. 

Ms Miley said she paid for a £1.50 ticket to park back in August, which the Echo has seen evidence for, and that debt collectors have been “harassing” her to pay the fine. 

Horizon Parking have since cancelled the fine “as a goodwill gesture” after being contacted by the Daily Echo. 

Bournemouth Echo: Sovereign Shopping CentreSovereign Shopping Centre (Image: Daily Echo)

Colombian-born Ms Miley said she is “happy to go to court”, adding: “I didn’t see any letters from Horizon Parking and then eventually I saw a letter from a debt collector and I thought ‘Oh my God, what is that?’ 

“I called them up and they told me the time had lapsed to pay the fine – it was really unfair. 

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“It was really serious and they said they were going to take me to court over it and that the judge would be in favour of them. 

“It has been stressful all the time. I want to be able to go shopping and not have to worry about whether I paid for a ticket and I won’t receive a fine for it. 

Bournemouth Echo: Francy MileyFrancy Miley (Image: Daily Echo)

"I have a daughter, a wedding in September and my family came over from Colombia – I’ve had so much going on and at the same time I’ve had all these letters coming from the debt collectors adding to all the stress. 

“I want to see a report that I did any wrongdoing, but they won’t provide any evidence.” 

After contacting Horizon Parking, a spokesperson told the Echo Ms Miley’s appeals “did not contain any supporting evidence at all to show that a payment had been made”.   

Read more: Motorist receives a speeding ticket in Barrack Road driving under the limit

The spokesperson added: “A keying error was found on this occasion and an appropriate response sent to the motorist.   

“If payment of the parking charge is not received in these circumstances a parking charge will continue to progress through the collection process which can include being transferred to a debt recovery company for collection. 

“On this occasion we will contact the motorist directly and cancel the parking charge as a gesture of goodwill however it is important that customers ensure that they enter their full and correct vehicle registration when paying for parking, which will avoid this type of situation occurring.”