A FULL-time carer has been hauled in front of the courts after being ordered to pay an ‘unfair’ £258 parking fine.

Carly Newby, 24, provides care for her 56-year-old mother, Anita, following a stroke and was horrified to find she had been fined after taking her mum shopping in the Southend Airport Business Park.

Despite her mum having a blue badge, Carly admits she forgot to place it in the window when she parked but is urging parking firm, Excel Parking Ltd, to show lenience.

The firm has rejected multiple appeals from Carly and the fine has ballooned from £100 to £258.

After appearing in court last week, Carly now fears the “innocent mistake” will lead to her struggling to provide for her mother.

Carly said: “I can only work part time, and I am a full-time carer for my mum, we lack the money and £250 is a lot to take from us and I have said that to them.

“It is cruel and as it is a free car park, there are no financial implications from the fact I forgot, I made an honest mistake.

“It was just a shopping trip to get out and about, my mum gets stir crazy, and the Airport Business Park has a Home Bargain and more.”

The initial £100 fine was increased to £170 in September after she failed to pay, before increasing again to £258.

Now, Carly fears being hauled in front of the courts again and being threatened with action from bailiffs if she continues to refuse to pay.

She added: “It is causing my mum stress, I am trying to sort this out but it is not a priority, we need to sort so many other things and this is added stress and my mum can’t do much, she feels bad.

“Just an innocent mistake led to this, this is something we don’t have the money for and it would be taking food out of our mouths, even their payment plans were unaffordable to us.”

Excel Parking Ltd have been contacted for comment.