A MAN left “exasperated” by a lack of parking spaces in Southend was arrested after losing his temper with Adventure Island security guards, a court heard.
Kevin Kalyan, 36, travelled to the town on August 7, with his partner and six children, from his home in Easternville Gardens, Ilford.
Southend Magistrates’ Court heard Kalyan parked in a reserved area outside the fun park in Western Esplanade after spending 30 minutes looking for a space.
Stephen Sparks, prosecuting, told the court the self-employed car valeter was then approached by a security guard.
He said: “The defendant was challenged with a request for him to move his vehicle.
“At this stage he became angry and said: ‘Let’s have it’. He was being aggressive and getting in the officer’s personal space.
“He starts swearing and says he has ADHD and is going to ‘flip out’.
“Families and customers were watching. The police attend and he swears when they are in attendance.”
Kalyan admitted one charge of using threatening words or behaviour with the intention to cause alarm or distress when he appeared at the court on Friday.
Roger Neild, mitigating, said Kalyan was “ashamed” and “sorry” for his actions but that he had been “exasperated” at not being able to find a parking space.
He said: “It was a very hot day. He had driven all the way from his home in Ilford with his partner and six children and no air conditioning.
“He had searched for somewhere to park and ended up parking in a space where he thought it was allowed.
“Families were watching, but the nearest family was his own, who were no doubt embarrassed by the actions of dad.
“He does accept that the member of staff was doing his job and if people didn’t do their jobs it would make the world not a very nice place to live in.”
Kalyan was fined £160 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.
A spokesman for Adventure Island said staff had been thanked by Essex Police for helping the lone officer with the arrest.
He said: “We are a family fun park and on this particular day there were families and children in the area and the way Mr Kalyam acted was completely unreasonable.
“We do appreciate the frustration caused for individuals trying to get into Southend and find a parking space on a busy day, but this in no way condones this type of behaviour. “
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