Heartless Fine for Pregnant Woman Sparks Outrage After Tragic Loss

 In a story that has ignited public anger, a pregnant woman who pulled into a McDonald’s car park to recover from a dizzy spell has been hit with a £100 fine, which her family says was issued without a shred of compassion. The incident has raised serious questions about the rigidity of private parking enforcement and the lack of human empathy in an automated system.

Kimberley Terry, a 35-year-old mother of four, was 16 weeks pregnant when she felt so faint at the wheel that she feared she would pass out. She pulled into the McDonald's car park at Orbital Park, Ashford, seeking a safe place to stop. Accompanied by her mother, Dawn Wicks, the pair remained at the site for about two hours until Kimberley was well enough to drive. They were unaware of the strict 90-minute parking limit enforced by Met Parking Services.

Days later, Kimberley received a £60 penalty notice. Her mother, Dawn Wicks, initiated an appeal, meticulously detailing the medical emergency and offering to provide bank statements as proof of their repeated purchases during the two-hour stay.

"We were there for around two hours and just waited until it was safe for her to drive again," Mrs. Wicks explained. "On a normal visit to McDonald’s, we wouldn't spend any longer than 30 minutes. There's nothing else around there. It's not the sort of place where you would park and go off somewhere."

However, Met Parking Services rejected the appeal, stating its decision was made "after careful consideration" of the facts. The company requested medical evidence, such as proof of a pre-existing condition or doctor's advice. Mrs. Wicks says they hadn't sought medical help on the day because previous similar episodes had shown that resting for a while was the best remedy.

The situation took a devastating turn when, at 20 weeks, Kimberley tragically lost her baby in a traumatic stillbirth. In a subsequent appeal, Mrs. Wicks informed the company of the heartbreaking news, hoping it would sway their decision and demonstrate the severity of her daughter's condition at the time of the parking incident.

But the company’s response was shockingly cold. A further appeal was also turned down, with one rejection letter arriving while Kimberley was in the hospital being induced. "They didn't show an ounce of compassion," Mrs. Wicks said. "You wouldn't just tell them something like that to get out of a parking ticket if it wasn't true. It was horrendous—absolutely horrendous."

As the dispute dragged on, the fine escalated to £100. Mrs. Wicks described the final letter as "getting a bit nasty," stating that no further appeals would be considered. The fine was eventually paid, a significant financial burden for Kimberley, who had been on a maternity cover contract and was not actively seeking another job.

"£100 is a lot of money—and after everything, it was just so heartless," Mrs. Wicks lamented. She expressed her frustration that the company would not consider their circumstances or even check their own CCTV to verify the timeline of events.

In a formal response, Met Parking Services reiterated that the terms of use at Orbital Park are "clearly stated on signs prominently displayed around the site" and that it is the driver's responsibility to comply. This rigid adherence to policy, without any room for human discretion, has been a key point of contention for the family and for many who have followed the story.

The incident highlights a growing concern with automated, profit-driven private parking enforcement. Critics argue that such companies operate without adequate oversight, often prioritizing revenue over reasonable circumstances and basic human decency. For Kimberley and her family, what should have been a brief stop to ensure her safety turned into a cruel ordeal, compounded by an unimaginable personal tragedy and the unwavering, heartless pursuit of a parking fine. The story serves as a cautionary tale and a rallying cry for more compassionate and sensible enforcement of parking regulations.