A HUGE fine of nearly £3,000 has been handed to a woman who abandoned her car in a Colchester car park.

Caroline Cox, of St Johns Way, Thetford, had initially received the fixed penalty notice in March last year after she left her car in Smiths Field, the Hythe, in late 2021.

The car park is owned by Colchester Borough Homes. 

The car, a Renault Clio, was reported to the authorities in December 2021, with Cox then handed the fine three months later.

After Cox refused to pay the fine, however, Colchester Council took the matter to court.

Colchester Magistrstes Court found Cox guilty of abandoning property on a highway and refusing disposal when the case was heard on April 19.

The overall fine came to £2,930, which included £30 for the vehicle removal cost.

Colchester Council’s neighbourhood services and waste portfolio holder, Martin Goss, labelled Cox’s actions irresponsible.

He said: "This case should send a clear message to the minority of drivers who abandon their vehicles that we will not tolerate such irresponsible behaviour.

"Our neighbourhood teams do a fantastic job protecting our local environments, but they cannot be everywhere at once, which is why we advise residents on the best way to report abandoned and nuisance vehicles."