Man Gets £2,000 Parking Fine After Buying Grandson £1.99 McDonald's Happy Meal

A pensioner received a £2,000 ($2,800) fine after buying his grandson a £1.99 ($2.79) McDonald's Happy Meal.

John Babbage, from Luton, took Tyler to his local branch of Maccies, but fell asleep and overstayed the two-hour free parking by just 17 minutes.

The 75-year-old claims he had no idea he had received the four £100 fines because the notices were sent to an address that doesn't exist.

Mr Babbage only realised what had happened when bailiffs from debt collection firm DCBL turned up at his door demanding £400 ($560) in fines and £1,651 ($2,300) in costs.

He and his wife Libby, 71, refused to let them in and said that despite their efforts the collectors refused to believe their story.

Mrs Babbage told the Mirror: "There was a knock at 8.30am. I knew you're not obliged to let them in, but it was terrifying."

South Beds News Agency

And the couple recently learned that Highview Parking, which runs the car park where the fine was issued, had obtained a county court judgement just days before the bailiffs showed up at their home.

The case is due to be heard in court next month, with McDonald's having asked the car park's operator to review the fine, according to the Mirror.

Mr Babbage said: "It's been a nightmare."

LADbible has contacted Highview Parking for a comment on Mr Babbage's case.

But Mr Babbage isn't the only one to have been stung for a visit to Maccies.

Earlier this year, a woman was fined after breaking lockdown rules by travelling 100 miles to get a McDonald's.

North Yorkshire Police issued the fine after discovering the motorist had driven from Lincolnshire to meet her sister in Scarborough for a Maccies.

PA

Chief Inspector Rachel Wood criticised the woman for her cross-country Maccies mission.

She said: "Driving through three counties to get a burger is not classed as essential travel. So the woman, who is in her 30s, received a fixed penalty notice from North Yorkshire Police.

"Most people in North Yorkshire are trying really hard to stop the spread of Covid in our communities and protect the vulnerable.

"When this pandemic is over, we know everyone's looking forward to going where they want, when they want.

"But in the meantime, I'd like to say thank you to everyone who continues to stay home, protect the NHS and save lives."

Topics: Food, maccies, McDonald's, court

Dominic Smithers

Dominic graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History. Like you, Dom has often questioned how much use a second language has been. Well, after stints working at the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express, along with never setting foot in France, he realised the answer is surprisingly little. But I guess, c'est la vie. Contact us at [email protected]

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