Man spends $1,500 to void $100 parking ticket

NEW WESTMINSTER, British Columbia, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- A British Columbia man who spent nearly $1,500 to successfully contest a $100 parking ticket said he was trying to make a point.

Vic Bryant of New Westminster said he challenged the parking violation he received when his son parked in a spot determined by authorities to be too close to a driveway and was given only six days notice before he was due to appear at City Hall or be found guilty in absence, 24 Hours Vancouver reported Friday.

Bryant said the original fine increased when he missed the early deadline for paying and an additional fine brought the total up to $100 when he was unable to show up on the designated day.

"The only way I could get the city to listen to my request was to hire a lawyer," said Bryant, chief executive officer of mining company Highbank Resources.

Bryant said he hired a lawyer, who was able to get New Westminster bylaw coordinator Sukh Maghera to "void" the fine because the six-day notice was less than the 14 days required by provincial law.

Bryant, who paid nearly $1,500 in legal fees during the case, said the amount of the ticket was not the issue.

"It is not the fine that is the important issue but the fact that I was unable to exercise my right of defense," he said.

Bryant attempted to get the city to pay his legal fees in small claims court, but a judge said in dismissing the case he did not have the grounds to file for such reimbursement.