When Graham Wilkinson’s 12-year-old son got out of his van as he stopped at a zebra crossing, he thought nothing of it. But the seven-second stop, which also allowed pupils to cross the road safely, has landed him with a parking ticket and a potential £70 fine. Council officials say Mr Wilkinson was ‘parked’ during the brief stop outside Shoeburyness High School in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. The incident was captured on film by one of the council’s two spy cars. CCTV image from Southend Council's spy car showing two children using the zebra crossing as Graham Wilkinson's son Joel alights. Graham Wilkinson showing his £35 parking ticket for stopping at a zebra crossing outside Shoeburyness High School, Southend alongside his son Joel, 12.
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Graham Wilkinson's son Joel, 12, got out while stopped at the crossing
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Southend Council insist Mr Wilkinson was 'parked' for seven seconds
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Mr Wilkinson insists he had to stop to allow the children to cross the road
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Southend's two spy cars have earned £500,000 over past two years
Drivers, like @placeholder, have been forced to hand over at least £30 million in fines over the past 12 months.