A woman was fined �110 after a mechanic parked her car in a parking bay without a permit.

Nadia Rehman, of Birch Crescent, Hornchurch, took her car to a mechanic when it broke down in February.

While it was there a CCTV council camera car took a picture of it while it was parked in a bay in Romford.

The fine said she had not displayed a parking permit.

But after Nadia appealed to the council to explain her car was having a diagnostic test, and sent them receipts to prove the car was with the mechanic she was told that ultimately as owner of the vehicle she was responsible for it, and the garage owner should reimburse her.

She said: “At the time I had no control over the car, but I was sent a parking fine for it.

“I contested it and said I didn’t have control over it while the mechanic had it. I couldn’t control which way he moved it.

“I was told I still had to pay the fine. I agree that it is my car, but I had no control over its movements. There should be some discretion for something like this.”

The parking appeals officer for Havering Council said in a letter to Nadia: “I have rejected your appeal because the Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency informed the council that you are the registered keeper/owner of this vehicle at the time of the contravention.

“Whilst I understand that another person was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the contravention, however, as the registered keeper of the vehicle you are responsible for any unpaid parking tickets and should seek reimbursement from the driver.”

She then took it to the parking appeals court, but lost her case and was told to pay the fine.

At the Parking and Traffic Appeals court the appeal was upheld a couple of weeks ago.

Adjudicator Edward Houghton said: “I entirely accept that the vehicle was at the time in the possession of a garage to which she had delivered the vehicle for a diagnostic test. The appellant remains liable for the penalty and her remedy is to look to the garage for reimbursement.”

She added that she has since paid the fine and been reimbursed by the mechanic.