A COUPLE have claimed victory in a parking ticket row after council chiefs failed to offer any evidence that they had broken the law. Now Julie and Russell Coe, of Fieldway, Dagenham, have demanded a shake-up of the unfair system. Cycling instructor

A COUPLE have claimed victory in a parking ticket row after council chiefs failed to offer any evidence that they had broken the law.

Now Julie and Russell Coe, of Fieldway, Dagenham, have demanded a shake-up of the "unfair" system.

Cycling instructor Mrs Coe, 49, was caught by a council smart car parking on the pavement in Becontree Avenue, Dagenham, last December.

She said she pulled up on the wide pavement because it would have been too dangerous to park on the road.

She said: "There were no signs saying not to park there and I was only popping to the petrol station for two minutes to get my niece's baby a bottle of water."

A few weeks later she received a �50 fine for parking on the footpath, a rule she says she did not know existed.

She appealed and set about, with husband Russell, gathering evidence to present in court.

She said: "I spoke to residents. Many park on the pavement. If they park on the street they'll cause an obstruction."

Council bosses failed to enter any evidence supporting the fine, meaning the case was thrown out.

Mrs Coe says she has had no explanation from the council about why they did not see their case through.

She said: "We feel quite strongly about it, as it's a blatant way of the council making money. Changes must be made."

A spokesman for Barking &Dagenham Council said: "In this case we got part of our evidence wrong and were therefore not able to contest the appeal."

He said the council's approach to parking enforcement is aimed to make the roads safer.