ANOTHER motorist has won a lengthy legal wrangle over a York parking fine.

Robert Beaumont said he was ‘absolutely delighted’ after Minster Baywatch dropped its penalty charge for parking behind the Reel cinema in Blossom Street.

News of his victory has emerged just days after a different driver, Mark Hamilton, revealed he had won his case at York County Court against Minster over a fine for parking in a loading bay at York College in September 2015.

The Press reported earlier this year how Mr Beaumont had been fined after putting £1 in a machine at the Reel car park and displaying the ticket on his dashboard, but getting digits wrong when keying in his registration number.

He claimed the fine was unjust, having paid the fee, and vowed to fight it all the way to court on a principle of justice, despite the bill soaring to £226.

He said his late father Christopher Beaumont, a senior York Crown Court judge, would have approved of his battle, as he had hated injustice.

Now Mr Beaumont has received a ‘notice of discontinuance’ from the court service, saying the firm has discontinued all of its claim.

He said he had not been given any explanation, but he hoped it would encourage other motorists who had been unfairly fined to challenge it and take their cases to court as well - although he stressed he was not advocating people to refuse to pay fairly imposed fines.

“I paid my parking fee,” he said. “OK, I got a couple of digits wrong in my registration number but it was a very dark night.

“I agreed to mediation but the firm refused, saying it wouldn’t be ‘constructive’.”

Minster said earlier this year it was fining Mr Beaumont £100 because stated terms and conditions of use, clearly displayed via signage, had been breached.

It said yesterday that following discussion between Mr Beaumont and its solicitors, a ‘commercial decision’ was made to withdraw the case before any hearing.

It said Mr Beaumont had confirmed he was very grateful for this, and had praised Minster Baywatch for doing it.

It added: “We do also note and praise Mr Beaumont’s comments in respect of him not advocating people avoid paying for fairly issued charges.”