An elderly Hereford couple have been left distressed and fearing bailiff action after a parking dispute escalated, despite evidence showing they paid an initial fine.
Kathleen and Geoffrey Whitaker, both 88, said they have spent months trying to resolve the issue with parking operator Horizon Parking after visiting Tesco's Bewell Street car park in Hereford.
Mrs Whitaker, who is nearly blind, is going deaf and holds a blue badge, said the situation had caused her significant upset.
Feeling harassed, when the bailiff's letter was delivered, she said she was shaking and felt devastated, adding it was "mental cruelty".
The couple said they received and paid a £40 parking charge on May 13 after allegedly overstaying.
However, weeks later they were surprised to receive a further demand for £70 relating to the same day.
That charge later rose to £125 before the couple were contacted by bailiffs.
Mrs Whitaker said a bank statement showed the original £40 payment had been made, but despite repeated attempts, they had been unable to speak to someone directly to explain the situation.
"It's their fault but we can't ring them," she said.
"If they understood that elderly people can't go on the internet.
"You couldn't explain all that on the email, could you?
"You ring up and it's just an automatic payment thing."
Mrs Whitaker said the couple had entered the car park twice, but the second time was only to enter their car registration after realising they had forgotten to do so during the earlier visit.
She added: "It's so cruel people can do this to you.
"There's no empathy."
Mr Whitaker, who recently underwent surgery for cancer, said he was more angry than upset by the dispute, but said the situation was "scandalous".
Describing the company as a "tinpot organisation", he criticised the lack of telephone support available to customers trying to challenge charges.
The couple, who have lived off Kings Acre Road in Hereford for four years after spending two decades in Hay-on-Wye, said they simply want to speak to somebody and resolve what they believe is an error.
Horizon Parking has been approached for comment, and Tesco said it would look into whether it could help the couple.
Share