A woman from Thetford, who abandoned her Renault Clio in a car park owned by Colchester Borough Homes, has been ordered to pay £2,930 in fines and court costs.
The case, which was heard by Colchester Magistrates on 19 April, was brought by Colchester City Council against Caroline Cox of St Johns Way, Thetford.
The court heard that Mrs Cox’s car was reported to the council on 2 December 2021 and a 14-day notice placed on the windscreen. The vehicle was still parked in the same spot two weeks later, when a seven-day removal notice was issued.
Despite Mrs Cox receiving a fixed penalty notice on 21 March 2022 followed by a reminder letter for non-payment, the defendant failed to pay, leaving the council with no alternative but to resolve the matter through the court.
Finding Mrs Cox guilty in her absence, magistrates imposed a £2,500 fine, £30 vehicle removal costs, £150 legal costs and a £250 victim surcharge.
Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester City Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: “This case should send a clear message to the minority of drivers who abandon their vehicles that we will not tolerate such irresponsible behaviour.
“Our neighbourhood teams do a fantastic job protecting our local environments, but they cannot be everywhere at once, which is why we advise residents on the best way to report abandoned and nuisance vehicles.
“Unfortunately, we continue to receive reports of abandoned vehicles around the city, though a significant number of these are incorrectly reported to us and turn out not to be abandoned.
“Residents can report online at www.colchester.gov.uk/AbandonedVehiclesStart, if they suspect a vehicle has been abandoned on public or private land. The council’s website provides guidance on what determines whether a vehicle has been abandoned and all of the information it is useful to provide when making a report.”
Page last reviewed: 26 April 2023