A PARKING firm has apologised after fining an elderly man for sitting in its car park when he was upset and confused after his wife was diagnosed with cancer.

Minster Baywatch originally refused to refund the man, despite being told of the tragic circumstances, but subsequently performed a U-turn and paid the money back after The Press made inquiries.

Andrew Walker said the saga started on November 1 when his father-in-law was photographed by a recognition camera in a car park in Wigginton Road, on the day his wife had been admitted to nearby York Hospital with stomach cancer.

Mr Walker, of Huby, said his partner had been looking after the couple’s pet dog all day and they arranged to meet in the car park as a safe place for her to hand it over, and also for her to park to visit her mother.

His father-in-law sat in his car for 17 minutes without leaving it, had never been in the car park before and was confused and had no idea he should pay for the short stay.

“He is an honourable man and if he had realised he needed to pay for those few minutes then he would have,” he said, adding that he promptly paid the fine but was struggling financially and attempted to appeal.

The firm responded by saying PCN appeals could not be accepted following the payment of a charge, ‘as payment is an acceptance of the contravention contained within the PCN.’ Mr Walker claimed the firm had ‘quoted regulations with not one ounce of compassion.’

A spokesperson told The Press that the PCN had since been reviewed by a senior team member and they had subsequently written to the motorist, expressing sympathy for his family’s situation and confirming, given the exceptional circumstances, that a refund had been made, and the respective manager had given a personal apology.