Former police officer Keith Butlin has been hit with a £100 parking fine despite paying for parking and qualifying for free parking at Newhall Walk car park in Sutton Coldfield.
Mr Butlin was visiting his terminally ill brother-in-law at Good Hope Hospital when he parked at the Birmingham City Council-owned site. He paid £1.50 for parking and spent £27 at B&M, which should have entitled him to three hours' free parking.
Despite providing proof of payment and his purchase receipt, Excel Parking Services Limited rejected his appeal. The 68-year-old told BirminghamLive: 'I was only in Sutton as my wife's brother was terminally ill in Good Hope. He died the next day.'
The car park has become notorious for allegedly unfair fines, with a Facebook group formed to highlight similar cases. Mr Butlin said: 'Since I posted on Facebook I have had 320 people reply and 50 to 60 people said they had the same thing happen.'
The incident has sparked calls for a boycott of Sutton Coldfield town centre. Mr Butlin is refusing to pay the fine and plans to fight it in court, describing Excel Parking's actions as 'bullying'.
Excel Parking Services Limited was contacted but had not responded to requests for comment.
