READING in today's issue of the Courier (August 30) about the man who admitted stealing items from a property but was only given a community order, made me wish that I had been dealt with by the courts for my recent "crime".

The courts are clearly far more compassionate than the North Devon District Council.

My husband and I recently attended a funeral in Ilfracombe and parked in the theatre car park, opposite the church. We would only be gone for about three-quarters of an hour, but I paid for two hours parking, to be on the safe side.

My husband is disabled so we were in a disabled parking bay and put our tickets on the dashboard pinned down by his disabled badge.

We were horrified, on our return to the car, to find that we had a parking fine. The note said that we could appeal and each case would be judged on its merit.

On our return home I wrote, immediately, to the council enclosing our valid receipt expecting to receive an apology!

The reply from the council was a brusque letter with a photo of the parking meter stating that all tickets should be clearly displayed and there was no reason to quash our fine and pay up quickly - or the fine would be doubled.

I admit that, technically, we were guilty because the disabled badge had somewhat obscured the receipt.

However, as the appeal was supposed to be a considered verdict, I was hoping for a little compassion to be shown.

Like the man who stole the items we had no previous convictions. We are two old age pensioners, always willing to pay our way and not wishing to defraud anyone.

We are very distressed at the inhumanity of man-to-man in our case and although, as my son tells me, "it is not worth getting blood pressure about".

Nevertheless, I feel the principle is very unkind.

Wyn Saunders

Chapel Downs Road

Crediton