A MOTORIST who tried to pay his parking fine on two pieces of toilet paper has been given an appropriately unusual court punishment.Richard Roper, 63, appeared at Sudbury Magistrates' Court yesterday morning and was asked by District Judge David Cooper if he would sit at the back of court for the day's proceedings as a “debt to society”.
A MOTORIST who tried to pay his parking fine on two pieces of toilet paper has been given an appropriately unusual court punishment.
Richard Roper, 63, appeared at Sudbury Magistrates' Court yesterday morning and was asked by District Judge David Cooper if he would sit at the back of court for the day's proceedings as a “debt to society”.
Roper, of Roman Way, Long Melford, signed the £30 toilet paper cheque as a “peaceful protest” over the parking fine administered by Suffolk Constabulary in September.
But he was hauled into court when he refused to pay an additional £15 to have the cheque processed by the ticket administrators, Roper told magistrates the toilet roll cheque was meant to be a light-hearted gesture and was never malicious.
At the end of yesterday's short hearing, district Judge Cooper said: “I would like to offer you a day at the back of the court as a way of paying your debt to society. Although I can't say it will be very enlightening.”
Roper, who was spared the additional £15 fine, accepted the punishment telling the judge he would be “delighted” to observe court proceedings.
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