£170 fine for 1-minute stop at Earlham Road shops in Norwich

Laurie Steele was shocked to receive the fine after a very brief trip to Earlham House Shopping Centre.

His August 10 trip last year involved Mr Steele, who lives nearby, pulling into the lower car park where he found no spare spaces.

Due to restrictive mobility issues, he was unable to get out of his car easily.

With the engine still running, Mr Steele sat stationary, wound his window down and asked a passer-by to post a letter for him, then promptly left the car park.

The lower car park where Mr Steele was fined (Image: Google)

A month later the 81-year-old widower was handed the £170 fine, with the letter recording his stop from 10.44 and 40 seconds until 10.45 and 57 seconds -  a whole minute and 17 seconds.

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Mr Steele said: "I've struggled to pay the fine as I'm on the state pension.

"I've only just been able to pay it today after being threatened to take me to the county court (March 8).

"This is the first month I could afford it due to the current council tax relief."

The car park in Earlham Road is operated by National Parking Enforcement Ltd (NPE). 

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He added: "This must be the most expensive 77 seconds I have had in my 81 years of life.

"I really want to warn others to be so careful."

This comes a year after a war of words broke out between Golden Triangle drivers and NPE where locals were fined for parking outside the Earlham House shops in the parent and child parking spaces but leaving their kids - aged 12 or under - in their vehicle.

NPE has been contacted for comment.