An 11-year-old High Wycombe boy with Down’s Syndrome was threatened with court action by Buckinghamshire Council over a parking ticket – a move that has been branded “disgusting” by the child’s father.

The saga started on November 21 last year, when little Alex Lewis’ dad Adam parked his motability vehicle – which is registered in Alex’s name – in a disabled parking bay in Pauls Row.

Adam did not realise that the parking bays were suspended that day because the Christmas lights were being put up and returned to the car to find it had been slapped with a parking charge.

Arguing that the signage was “minimal” and not clear, Adam decided to appeal the parking ticket – but this was refused.

Days later, and Alex started receiving ‘notice to owner’ letters from Transport for Bucks (TfB) about the ticket.

Adam responded to take full responsibility for the ticket as Alex is just 11-years-old, adding that he wanted to appeal the ticket through an independent adjudicator – but the council instead demanded ‘proof’ that Adam had parental responsibility over his son.

Adam said: “There is no legal document that proves parental responsibility. A birth certificate is only proof that I am his father.

“It would need to be some sort of affidavit from a civil/family court to state this. As there has never been a need for this throughout his life we do not have one.”

When speaking to a TfB representative on the phone, Adam says she explained she would need “authority” from Alex to speak to her on his behalf – and the child ended up having to speak to her directly to give permission for his dad to deal with the ticket and also write a letter to the council saying so, despite having no idea what was going on.

Adam added: “This is the most absurd situation. I am not disputing that the ticket is for me to sort out and that I am keen to address this matter to get it resolved one way or another.

“However TfB sent my son another letter stating that the fine is now £105 and either gets paid immediately or court action will follow.

“What I can’t believe is that they are considering taking my son to court over this. I have been reasonable and explained the circumstances in every email that I have sent them and they continue to fail to be reasonable.

“This is not a criminal matter and does not warrant this level of stupidity by TfB.”

When the Bucks Free Press approached TfB for an explanation, they said they would review the case.

Since then, they have agreed to cancel the ticket completely, but Adam says the way they treat members of the public is “disgusting” and should be exposed.

The cancellation letter – still addressed to Alex – said: “After considering the points you have made and the evidence you have provided, the council has accepted these representations and the PCN has been cancelled on this occasion.

“The case is now closed and you will receive no further correspondence concerning this charge.”