Yahoo News 
Couple fined for blocking their own driveway to stop burglars after break-in
A couple have been fined for parking their car at the end of their own driveway to stop burglars from stealing their vehicle.
Scott Lazarus and Venessa Wise were slapped with a £35 parking ticket when they parked their Renault 307 in front of their £30,000 Evoque.
The couple were the victims of a break-in at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, last month, where burglars swiped £7,000 worth of goods, along with the kets to their Range Rover.
They claim that cops advised them to park their other car in front of it to stop it from being stolen but now they have received a fine because they did not have a valid permit to park in the road.
Venessa, 41, said: “It was so frustrating. It was just the icing on the cake. We were blocking the drive to stop our car being stolen too.
“We were so busy trying to tidy the house the day after that we didn’t realise that the ticket was put on the car.
“As soon as I realised we had a ticket I appealed it straight away, making sure that I explained that I had been burgled and even gave them the crime number.”
Despite their appeal, South Essex Parking Partnership refused to cancel the ticket.
MORE: We explain how to appeal a parking ticket
MORE: How to successfully appeal a parking ticket
After reading the rejection, Venessa wrote a letter to the company describing the “emotional distress” the burglary had on her and her family and that this parking charge “added insult to injury”.
Scott and Venessa have now forked out £2,000 for a full security system and CCTV at their home.
The restrictions outside the couple’s house state that cars cannot be parked there without a permit between 2-3pm.
She said: “We never in a million years thought we would be burgled, I was just so shocked.
“We were so preoccupied with sorting out our insurance and our house that we didn’t realise.”
But to the couple’s relief the parking ticket was revoked on May 23.
Venessa added: “We already felt vulnerable and targeted by these crooks. We really could have done without it.
“It was a huge relief. I’m just happy it’s all been resolved.”
Top pic: SWNS
