Carer is prepared to go to court over parking fine CARER Tony Cooper has pledged to take his case to court to fight against a £40 parking fine issued while he was looking after a frail 97-year-old woman in her home.

Lay preacher Mr Cooper, 63, of Orchard Way, Holmer Green, has looked after pensioner Gladys Whitworth ever since her husband died four years ago. He visits her High Wycombe house twice a day to help feed and clothe her.

When Mrs Whitworth was struck down with flu in December, Mr Cooper contacted Buckinghamshire County Council to check if he could park on double yellow lines outside her home while he nursed her.

He says officials raised no objections and Mr Cooper happily left his car outside the house for half an hour every morning and afternoon.

But in February, a traffic warden slapped a £40 ticket on Mr Cooper's car and refused to remove it. Mr Cooper immediately went to the county council offices but was told the penalty stood and he had to pay up.

"The council has no heart for old people who rely on carers," said Mr Cooper. "Positive parking stops some carers from going to elderly people's houses because they fear they'll be given a parking ticket.

"It will not stop me caring for Gladys. I am prepared to take this all the way to court. When the law makes no provision or allowance for the justice of love, care and compassion then it needs to be challenged."

Mr Cooper has written to Sir Ray Whitney MP for support.

Wycombe district councillor Jim Tanner said Mr Cooper's plight was "a great shame. The council should give him a bit of leeway and be a bit more compassionate," he said.

Bill Chapple, the chairman of the council's environmental services committee, said officers had now brought the case to his attention.

"I will look into all sides of the story to see what can be done," he said.

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