A livid motorist has been slapped with a £110 fine for using a disabled parking spot, despite claiming to have displayed a Blue Badge. Philip Davey is accusing Havering Council of being "callous and cruel", after receiving the ticket which he says has caused turmoil for his critically ill mother-in-law who is battling cancer.

On the night of January 20, the East Londoner from Elm Park found himself issued with a penalty notice while parked in Billet Lane car park, as he visited the Queen's Theatre in Hornchurch. His assertion is that he had exhibited his mother-in-law's Blue Badge on the car dash, clear for all to see.

Yet, the citation specified that according to the traffic warden's "evidence taken", there was an absence of a time clock – a claim that Mr Davey refutes. For some parking zones with time limitations, Blue Badge holders are obliged to display a clock indicating their time of arrival.

Mr Davey asserted: "The Blue Badge was displayed, and I was parked in an appropriate manner in a disabled bay. Why would you want to harass and persecute an elderly person with cancer? I think it's very callous and cruel. It's scandalous – there's no two ways about it."

A stalwart resident of Havering for four decades, Mr Davey is now urging the council to rescind his fine.

Responding to the situation, a representative from the council mentioned that they'd be open to reassessing the appeal if further evidence was provided demonstrating adherence to the blue badge usage requirements. They further stated: "The council offers its sympathies to the family at what must be a challenging time."