A DISABLED shopper who spent hundreds of pounds in a retail store was left “gobsmacked” after receiving a hefty parking fine for overstaying the time limit in the shop’s carpark.

Sue Donaldson, 61, from Colchester, was buying items in The Range in Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, with her elderly mother, Daphne.

After browsing for more than two hours and having a rest and a bite to eat in the in-store café, the pair had collectively spent more than £200.

Despite being happy with her purchases, Sue was shocked when she received a £100 fine penalising her for parking her Honda in The Range’s facility nearly an hour longer than allowed.

Sue, who says the designated disabled bays were all occupied when the pair entered the shop, suffers from problems with her spine and has to use a walking stick or buggy to get about.

This means it can take her longer than other shoppers to navigate large stores.

Sue said: “When I got the fine I was gobsmacked and shocked and I am so disappointed with The Range because their poor attitude wasn’t sympathetic.

“I would understand if I had just bought a pack of sweets, but we spent more than £200 and the parking limit is there to stop people staying there all day, not to punish a couple of dear old ladies from pottering around.”

ParkingEye Limited has stated the penalty is a result of a failure to pay a smaller fine within a certain time period.

Although the fine in this case is priced at £100, if the recipient is able to pay within two weeks of receiving the notice, they will only have to pay a discounted amount.

A spokesman for ParkingEye said: “At this particular site customers are entitled to two hours free parking; in this case the motorist stayed for nearly three hours.

“The motorist has not responded to any of our correspondence.

“Motorists are encouraged to appeal if they feel there are mitigating circumstances.”