Couple hit with fine after parking at the end of their driveway to prevent burglars making off with their car

A COUPLE were slapped with a fine for parking at the end of their own driveway when they tried to prevent burglars from making off with their car.

Scott Lazarus and Venessa Wise suffered a break-in at their home last month - where £7,000 worth of goods were stolen along with the spare keys to their Range Rover.

And in order to stop returning raiders from being able to drive off with the £30,000 Evoque, the pair parked their Renault 307 in front of it, following what they claim was advice from cops.

But they were shocked to find a parking ticket slapped on the vehicle because it didn't have a valid permit to be parked on the road.

Venessa, 41, said: "It was so frustrating. It was just the icing on the cake. We were blocking the drive to stop our car being stolen too.

"We were so busy trying to tidy the house the day after that we didn't realise that the ticket was put on the car.

"As soon as I realised we had a ticket I appealed it straight away, making sure that I explained that I had been burgled and even gave them the crime number."

But despite Venessa immediately appealing the £35 parking ticket issued by South Essex Parking Partnership she was stunned to have her appeal rejected.

After reading the rejection, Venessa wrote a letter to the company describing the "emotional distress" the burglary had on her and her family and that this parking charge "added insult to injury".

Product manager Scott and Venessa have now forked out £2,000 for a full security system and CCTV following the break-in at their home in Chelmsford, Essex, on May 3.

Health and safety director Venessa has lived in the property with her partner for the past five years and says that she was shocked to find out that it had happened to them.

The restrictions outside the couple's house state that cars cannot be parked there without a permit between 2-3pm.

She said: "We never in a million years thought we would be burgled, I was just so shocked.

"We were so preoccupied with sorting out our insurance and our house that we didn't realise."

But to the couple's relief the parking ticket was revoked on May 23.

Venessa added: "We already felt vulnerable and targeted by these crooks. We really could have done without it.

"It was a huge relief. I'm just happy it's all been resolved."

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368