Masked protesters pledge to target 'insidious spy car'

“You are right there are better ways to successfully challenge a parking ticket-I know I have done it several times but I was just trying to make a point .

Incidently I always keep my powder dry and a musket ball is great leverage so yes I do feel lucky.”

“Also - its not the court that's issuing the fine. The council is given powers to do that on the basis that it's no longer a criminal offence. The only reason the courts get involved is if you refuse to pay they will either make an enforcement to pay, or make a judgement on whether the council issued a ticket according to the procedures laid down.”

“Now you see what you're brandishing there is a 325 year old musket...with a damp powder charge.

While the Bill of Right still has primacy in English Law, it's buried so far under later statutes that you'll need to go the Law Lords before you find a judge capable of accepting that defense. That's an army of Barristers and years of waiting around to be heard while your house is repossessed.

Sure - your musket has found it's mark a few times in living memory. But let me ask you a question: "Do you feel lucky, punk?"

My point was that councils aren't like private campers. They have special provisions on the books which allow them to pull, and enforce this SH!t. There are plenty less audacious ways of overturning a parking ticket than invoking the 1689 BoR. As far as anything from a private company is concerned, recent changes in legislation mean that you can safely ignore their letters.”

“Whilst I agree with you on the majority of your post especially the shooting fish in a barrel comment we need to look beyond their statutes and instead refer to our law of the land.
The Bill of Rights enshrines our rights and our relationship with the state and is as valid today as it was in December 1689.
On fines it clearly says ...." all grants and promises of fines and forfeitures of particular persons before conviction are illegal and void"

No conviction No fine.”

“Well that's not entirely true Mr Swing. TWBC do have statutory powers to hand out fines for parking and moving traffic offences. You could make your representations to the court but they would work on the assumption that the ticket would be valid. Since these offences were de-criminalised it's become a lot like shooting fish in a barrel for councils. One of these cars pays for itself in a few weeks.”

“Only the courts can issue fines so any fine they issue will be invalid.

If you see the scamera car take a picture of the stasi occupants because they hate when the boot is on the other foot.”

“Would love to see them forced into keeping the vehicle and re-allocating it to dealing with crime and anti-social behaviour. Good idea. Wrong motivation and definitely the wrong targets. Can't say I care how many people violate the traffic flow at Fiveways in Tunbridge Wells. Since it was clearly designed by a toddler.”

“Well done guys.

Its nothing to do with safety but everything to do with revenue raising.

Which sad act power crazed idiot is going to volunteer to do the most hated job in the country I wonder.”

“Well done Notomob. We need more of the likes of you to stop town hall petty tyranny which seems so prevalent these days.”

“Love these guys. I have seen them in action around Medway - keep up the pressure, why on earth T-Wells council sees fit to waste thousands on this snoop-mobile is beyond common sense. Cue pictures of the car parked illegally al over the shop!”