THE COST OF FIGHTING PARKING FINE

A MAN who tried to fight a parking fine will now pay more than 10 times the original fee after he was found guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court. He now faces a bill of almost $1000.

Richard Anthony Keith Saunders was caught overstaying the two hour parking limit on Waverly St, Southport and was given a $75 fine on September 21, last year. He decided to fight the fine in court but at the last moment changed his mind. Saunders, who did not appear in court yesterday, was found guilty in his absence. Photos of his car, the fine attached to his windscreen and chalk marks on his wheel were shown to the court. Magistrate John Costanzo ordered he pay a fine of $150, court costs of $99.55 and $750 for the costs of legal advice for the Gold Coast City Council. Saunders has two months to pay the fees.