Teenager fined for using bin

A FELIXSTOWE teenager has been slapped with nearly £200 of fines for NOT littering - but after contacting The Evening Star at least one of his fines has been cancelled.

James Mayhew, 19, received parking fines for obeying the law and using a rubbish bin in the car park shared by Staples and Fitness First gym, on Russell Road.

On two separate occasions, Mr Mayhew pulled into the car park to dispose of an empty drinks carton but couldn't believe it when, a month later, two bills for £94 dropped through his letter box.

He said: “I had enough time to get out and drop the rubbish in the bin before driving away. My engine was running and the headlights were still on.

I hadn't even taken two steps from car, which incidentally I'm still paying off. £200 is a lot of money and I simply can't afford it. Even if I could, I wouldn't be happy.”

A.S Securi-T, the company responsible for enforcing the fine, issue tickets based on 12 conditions, displayed on notices around the car park.

Mr Mayhew was handed the fine for not using the premises of the car park provider but argued that he was left with little choice.

He said: “If there were bins outside the car park, I would have used them. I certainly won't be using the bin here again.”

In a letter to Mr Mayhew explaining the fine, A.S Securi-T claimed he was part of a group of people parked illegally in the car park but Mr Mayhew strongly refutes the claim.

He said: “I asked them to look back at the footage but they told me there was nothing they could do about it. It feels like they are putting me into a group I am not part of.”

A.S Securi-T declined to comment on Mr Mayhew's case but Staples said that the charges for at least one of the fines would be withdrawn.

Sean Godding, Staples Customer Service Manager, said: “Staples has been notified of one instance relating to Mr Mayhew and the Ipswich store car park, which we have now resolved. The parking fine has been cancelled.”