HORATIO NELSON

IRRESPECTIVE of how much money entrepreneur Dave Nelson has amassed from his Vodka empire, his nine-month crusade to get off paying $180 in parking fines is a win for the battler.

The 29-year-old refused to pay the two tickets because he had council-issued “parking passes” displayed in his vehicle.

Mr Nelson spent about $3000 and hours of time fighting the council and the Queensland Ombudsman, but this wasn't about money. In shades of Darryl Kerrigan in Aussie classic The Castle, this was about principle. Mr Nelson was in the right and big brother the wrong.

In an age when the rights and movements of people are increasingly scrutinised, it is refreshing to see the lengths one man will go to for justice – even if it has cost him more in the long run.