‘Ridiculous’ fine for not moving car for firemen (From Basildon Recorder)
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‘Ridiculous’ fine for not moving car for firemen
11:00am Monday 7th May 2012 in Echo News By Melissa Hills
Marilyn and Clarence Kingston outside their home
A MAN was fined for refusing to move his car out of the way of firefighters who were trying to reach an incident in Laindon.
But Clarence Kingston, 72, who pleaded guilty to a charge of obstruction, believes he should never have been taken to court in the first place.
His actions have been condemned by Tony Hedley, chairman of the Essex Fire Authority, who said firefighters should be allowed to get on with their jobs and lives could be lost if people obstruct them while they are working.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday how fire crews were called to an incident in Mellow Purgess Close, Laindon, last month.
Mr Kingston failed to move his car when the firefighters wanted to put a ladder on his driveway to get into the flat above his property, where a smoke alarm was going off.
After pleading guilty, he was fined £100, ordered to pay costs of £85 and a £15 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the case, Mr Kingston, who is disabled and went into court on his mobility scooter, said: “I think the fine is extremely unfair and I cannot believe it has come to court.
“We have so many alarms going off round where we live, I didn’t think anything of it.
“Then, out of nowhere, at 9.30pm we had all these firemen banging on our front door.
“It wasn’t even quiet, and it seemed they were all being over the top for no reason.
“My wife was just about to go to bed and I didn’t want her to have to go out and move the car for no reason.”
Marilyn Kingston, 58, who is her husband’s full-time carer, added: “I had just got home from bingo and I was just getting ready to go to bed when we heard all this commotion outside.
“After we told the firemen they could have got into the flat by breaking the door of the flat down, which was surely the easiest route in, we had about six police officers on my husband who arrested him.
“There wasn’t even a fire. It was just that someone had left the oven on in the flat above us. It was ridiculous.”
Mr Hedley, who is a councillor for Billericay and Burstead, warned people against taking this stance with the emergency services.
He added: “I have honestly never heard of another case where a member of the public has obstructed firefighters.
“Most people are really pleased when they see the crews turn up and always try to be as helpful as possible.
“I wouldn’t recommend anyone do this again, because lives could be lost while the firefighters are trying to do their jobs.”
Comments(93)
Dids
says...
11:27am Mon 7 May 12
Just read up some fire legislation and you would not believe the powers that the firefighters have for access to properties even if they are not directly connected to the fire
P Church
says...
11:28am Mon 7 May 12
I would like to ask Mr Kingston what his reaction would be if his home was burning down and someone else blocked access to the fire brigade and as a result of their selfish actions they lost their home?!
The fact he stated that he didn't want his wife to go back out again to move the car beggars belief. And how was he to know that it wasn't on fire above? Does he know the lottery numbers for each draw?
This world has become full of beaters and whingers who when caught, instead of owning up and being honest about it, want to blame everyone else but themselves.
I can see the angle he's pushing for, elderly, disabled, pensioners. Well tough! The laws don't stop just because of those conditions.
If he had asked one of them to move the car because of these reasons I'm sure they would have understood and been happy too, but blatant refusal?! Disgusting!
You're lucky they didn't drag your car out the way which they had every right to do!
Davey B
says...
11:32am Mon 7 May 12
doggonepup
says...
11:34am Mon 7 May 12
s a shame they weren't fined more
Alan Jacobs
says...
11:37am Mon 7 May 12
I bet he'd be singin' 'n' dancin' to the authorities if someone blocked the pavement outside his place and stopped him getting his mobility scooter out.
No sympathy whatsoever for a typical cantancrass old sod!
minesabud
says...
11:40am Mon 7 May 12
GentleGiant
says...
11:49am Mon 7 May 12
Very selfish and he deserved to be taken to court.
thesouthendone
says...
11:50am Mon 7 May 12
Well done the Echo though for giving him a platform from which he can be ridiculed by all!!!
Nebs
says...
12:19pm Mon 7 May 12
Saxonpride
says...
12:27pm Mon 7 May 12
You know, just to eek out every little bit of sympathy you can.
Parasite.
Jodaius
says...
12:35pm Mon 7 May 12
doasilikey
says...
12:40pm Mon 7 May 12
JH_123
says...
1:11pm Mon 7 May 12
Nurse2110
says...
1:37pm Mon 7 May 12
Algus
says...
1:38pm Mon 7 May 12
Brunning999
says...
2:09pm Mon 7 May 12
The only help I could give him is kicking his walking stick out from under his selfish fat r's.
Doughnut
says...
2:13pm Mon 7 May 12
Nebs
says...
2:31pm Mon 7 May 12
jackboy123
says...
2:48pm Mon 7 May 12
southendshrimper
says...
2:48pm Mon 7 May 12
jackboy123
says...
2:52pm Mon 7 May 12
keithrg
says...
3:09pm Mon 7 May 12
bazaarhorse
says...
3:10pm Mon 7 May 12
keithrg
says...
3:11pm Mon 7 May 12
doggonepup
says...
3:39pm Mon 7 May 12
Jodaius
says...
3:43pm Mon 7 May 12
keithrg wrote:I suspect you are probably just a troll, but I will bite anyway...
The cars on his property wh should he move it. WTF would they have done if he wasnt in. If he was parked on a fire hydrent or causing willful obstruction with or without intent then fair enough. In future he probably wont even answer the door then he wont get charged. I mean personally Id have slung the fireman my keys at them and let them move it. Really who ever called the fire brigade should be charged for false call. Whilst they where checking out a flat battery someone somewhere could have been dieing. It rubbish followed by more rubbish, followed by more rubbish comments.
If he wasn't in, I'm sure the fire brigade would have found alternative access, as they ultimately did. However, the point is that he was in, and he wilfully and deliberately obstructed the emergency services. That is indefensible. There is NO excuse.
And as for being charged with a 'false call', if I heard a smoke alarm sounding in someone's house, I would knock on the door first, but if there was no answer, I probably would call the fire brigade. After all, there could be people trapped inside suffering from smoke inhalation. And you clearly haven't read the story properly because in this case someone had left the oven on. If it was producing enough smoke to set off the alarm, who's to say it would not have developed into a full-blown fire if not attended to? I wonder how Mr Kingston would have reacted to his home catching fire?
shallotman
says...
3:57pm Mon 7 May 12
Soouthchurch59
says...
4:01pm Mon 7 May 12
Jodaius wrote:'If it was producing enough smoke to set off the alarm, who's to say it would not have developed into a full-blown fire'
keithrg wrote:I suspect you are probably just a troll, but I will bite anyway...
The cars on his property wh should he move it. WTF would they have done if he wasnt in. If he was parked on a fire hydrent or causing willful obstruction with or without intent then fair enough. In future he probably wont even answer the door then he wont get charged. I mean personally Id have slung the fireman my keys at them and let them move it. Really who ever called the fire brigade should be charged for false call. Whilst they where checking out a flat battery someone somewhere could have been dieing. It rubbish followed by more rubbish, followed by more rubbish comments.
If he wasn't in, I'm sure the fire brigade would have found alternative access, as they ultimately did. However, the point is that he was in, and he wilfully and deliberately obstructed the emergency services. That is indefensible. There is NO excuse.
And as for being charged with a 'false call', if I heard a smoke alarm sounding in someone's house, I would knock on the door first, but if there was no answer, I probably would call the fire brigade. After all, there could be people trapped inside suffering from smoke inhalation. And you clearly haven't read the story properly because in this case someone had left the oven on. If it was producing enough smoke to set off the alarm, who's to say it would not have developed into a full-blown fire if not attended to? I wonder how Mr Kingston would have reacted to his home catching fire?
All the emergency services can be over officious at times, but the above occurred to me also.
boozybex
says...
4:23pm Mon 7 May 12
whataday
says...
4:30pm Mon 7 May 12
psorias
says...
4:30pm Mon 7 May 12
firedog
says...
4:52pm Mon 7 May 12
to be mental.
tricklesthegreek
says...
5:08pm Mon 7 May 12
Mudlark1
says...
5:10pm Mon 7 May 12
Jodaius wrote:Good post!!
keithrg wrote: The cars on his property wh should he move it. WTF would they have done if he wasnt in. If he was parked on a fire hydrent or causing willful obstruction with or without intent then fair enough. In future he probably wont even answer the door then he wont get charged. I mean personally Id have slung the fireman my keys at them and let them move it. Really who ever called the fire brigade should be charged for false call. Whilst they where checking out a flat battery someone somewhere could have been dieing. It rubbish followed by more rubbish, followed by more rubbish comments.I suspect you are probably just a troll, but I will bite anyway... If he wasn't in, I'm sure the fire brigade would have found alternative access, as they ultimately did. However, the point is that he was in, and he wilfully and deliberately obstructed the emergency services. That is indefensible. There is NO excuse. And as for being charged with a 'false call', if I heard a smoke alarm sounding in someone's house, I would knock on the door first, but if there was no answer, I probably would call the fire brigade. After all, there could be people trapped inside suffering from smoke inhalation. And you clearly haven't read the story properly because in this case someone had left the oven on. If it was producing enough smoke to set off the alarm, who's to say it would not have developed into a full-blown fire if not attended to? I wonder how Mr Kingston would have reacted to his home catching fire?
Also worth mentioning is carbon monoxide detectors make the same noise as fire alarms, the difference being there is no smoke but it still kills. The fire service would never complain about someone calling them out if an alarm is heard even if ultimately it is a false alarm. Ultimately no lives are lost and in the end they can advise home owners about faulty alarms, dead ones tend not to listen!!!!
southendnan
says...
5:11pm Mon 7 May 12
Brunning999
says...
5:22pm Mon 7 May 12
bazaarhorse wrote:Really?
He pleaded guilty but thought it should not have gone to court. Says it all really ! Brunning999 always takes it one step further, you too are an idiot.
I bet your the same bloke that would be prepared to see someone die in a fire.
BECAUSE I BLOODY HAVE you are the idiot!
Dids
says...
5:33pm Mon 7 May 12
Powers of fire-fighters etc in an emergency etc
(1)An employee of a fire and rescue authority who is authorised in writing by the authority for the purposes of this section may do anything he reasonably believes to be necessary—
(a)if he reasonably believes a fire to have broken out or to be about to break out, for the purpose of extinguishing or preventing the fire or protecting life or property;
(b)if he reasonably believes a road traffic accident to have occurred, for the purpose of rescuing people or protecting them from serious harm;
(c)if he reasonably believes an emergency of another kind to have occurred, for the purpose of discharging any function conferred on the fire and rescue authority in relation to the emergency;
(d)for the purpose of preventing or limiting damage to property resulting from action taken as mentioned in paragraph (a), (b) or (c).
(2)In particular, an employee of a fire and rescue authority who is authorised as mentioned in subsection (1) may under that subsection—
(a)enter premises or a place, by force if necessary, without the consent of the owner or occupier of the premises or place;
(b)move or break into a vehicle without the consent of its owner;
(c)close a highway;
(d)stop and regulate traffic;
(e)restrict the access of persons to premises or a place.
(3)A person commits an offence if without reasonable excuse he obstructs or interferes with an employee of a fire and rescue authority taking action authorised under this section.
(4)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
5:45pm Mon 7 May 12
quick one
says...
5:48pm Mon 7 May 12
Dids
says...
6:02pm Mon 7 May 12
quick one wrote:What a fool you are,I havnt mentioned this before but i am a retired firefighter and to you and anyone else on a "Fireground" and that means anywhere the fire brigade are in attendance we have total control,I suggest you read my post 2 posts above this, Then shut up
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
muffindamule
says...
6:12pm Mon 7 May 12
You ask,
"Who put "ridiculous" in the headline. Surely not the Echo journo?? It was not a ridiculous fine, they deserved to be fined for obstruction".
That's why the word 'ridiculous' appears in inverted commas I think.
lost_scotsman
says...
6:55pm Mon 7 May 12
quick one wrote:Whilst we are all entitled to our opinion. It would be interesting to know. How you would feel if you or even a relative lost their property to fire, or even lost their life, because the fire service were obstructed and were unable to gain entry to the property fast enough. What this man has done is selfish and I fail to see how it can be defended in any way at all.
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
billericay boy
says...
6:57pm Mon 7 May 12
mr.happy
says...
7:26pm Mon 7 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
7:31pm Mon 7 May 12
soul man
says...
7:49pm Mon 7 May 12
v.randy
says...
9:15pm Mon 7 May 12
the selfish me,me,me world that we have to live in.
'knows his rights not his responsibilities'
andyh
says...
11:00pm Mon 7 May 12
SaveOurStanford
says...
11:27pm Mon 7 May 12
emcee
says...
1:20am Tue 8 May 12
Brunning999
says...
7:30am Tue 8 May 12
bazaarhorse wrote:You are in the minority of one that just typifies your acceptance of what is the actions of yet another selfish idiot!!
He pleaded guilty but thought it should not have gone to court. Says it all really ! Brunning999 always takes it one step further, you too are an idiot.
openspace
says...
8:41am Tue 8 May 12
As to the comment about " break the door down, it's easier than us moving a car". How selfish can you get.
Apart from a couple of idiots, nice to see nearly all on these posts in ageement for a change.
openspace
says...
8:53am Tue 8 May 12
keithrg wrote:The car was not on axle stands and the alternative would have involved damage to property, obvious to anyone with a reasonable number of brain cells, totally stupid comment !!!
What if the car was on axle stands ect ect. There was alternatives and the should have used them. The Fire brigade Turned up Unpreppared.
whyteaswhyte
says...
10:54am Tue 8 May 12
doasilikey wrote:This is a kind of name and shame -isn’t it? I hope nobody takes it upon themselves to make a vendetta against the convicted fool. I feel the Echo has an obligation to care for the local people; this story should not have been printed. However, if the Echo want to name and shame people how about naming and shaming the dog owners who fail to pick up their dogs mess in the parks, football pitches, woods, etc, etc, etc. where children play!!!!!!
King Idiot.
LibbyJ
says...
10:55am Tue 8 May 12
bazaarhorse
says...
11:11am Tue 8 May 12
Brunning999 wrote:your the one that wants to kick the walking sticks from under a disabled person ? how am I the idiot. I don't give give a rats a-ss about what you've seen either.
bazaarhorse wrote:Really?
He pleaded guilty but thought it should not have gone to court. Says it all really ! Brunning999 always takes it one step further, you too are an idiot.
I bet your the same bloke that would be prepared to see someone die in a fire.
BECAUSE I BLOODY HAVE you are the idiot!
nicknows
says...
12:29pm Tue 8 May 12
I have no idea but the window they were after gaining access to might have been open. It appears to be open in the photograph so might well have been at the time
This couple might not be so happy another time if a delay in gaining access meant that a fire did break out and water hoses had to be used to put the fire out.
Water damage after a fire quite often causes more damage than the original fire.
The fire brigade have to gain access as quickly as possible causing the least amount of damage. Because these flats have been built for a number of years the fire brigade would have a good idea of the layout and the front door could well not have been the best point of entry.
At least there was a working smoke alarm.
They should consider themselves lucky to have gotten off with such a small fine.
Would love to know what their surrounding neighbours think of them.
meldrew84
says...
12:30pm Tue 8 May 12
Tom from Southend
says...
12:38pm Tue 8 May 12
quick one
says...
1:17pm Tue 8 May 12
Dids wrote:do one little man
quick one wrote:What a fool you are,I havnt mentioned this before but i am a retired firefighter and to you and anyone else on a "Fireground" and that means anywhere the fire brigade are in attendance we have total control,I suggest you read my post 2 posts above this, Then shut up
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
Jesslca
says...
1:37pm Tue 8 May 12
LibbyJ wrote:There was no one in so I doubt the door was open..
Whilst I abhore the behaviour, lack of co-operation, selfishness, etc., etc., of this couple, I can't help wondering why no-one has picked up on the fact that the firemen could have gained access to the flat through the front door....
steve@eastwood
says...
1:46pm Tue 8 May 12
The Soldier in White
says...
1:56pm Tue 8 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
5:29pm Tue 8 May 12
Last Poster
says...
7:20pm Tue 8 May 12
SaveOurStanford wrote:D'you know, I've a suspicion about you having a chip on your shoulder.
What realy P155es me off this guy who is probally getting disabilty allowances, careers allowance, free car disabled scheme, tax, parking & Congestion charges, Free scooters and sticks and a Pensions all paid by me and others taxes is so selfish not to move his car in an emergancy when wifey was ready for bed yet can send his wife to bingo !!! What a knucke shuffle !!! Hope someone returns the favour to you .
The only thing I will pick up on your comment though is the "Pensions all paid for by me and others." Would you enlighten me as to how that works? I though, obviously wrongly, that state pensions were qualified by people working a few years, usually around 50, and paying for their own pension. However, if you know an easier way, don't hold hesitate to tell me so I can get one of those! Or are you one of those plonkers who thinks council houses were paid for by the well-offs taxes, whilst in fact they were paid for many times over by the tenants, who handed them back for nothing at the end of their lives!
Other than that, if the fire brigade want a hand moving a car belonging to the likes of this grouch, send for me, I'll move it, and give them another fire to put out when I have!
Mikeyzaz
says...
8:14pm Tue 8 May 12
Nebs wrote:HEHEHE
A full time carer, who had just got back from bingo.
Mikeyzaz
says...
8:16pm Tue 8 May 12
keithrg wrote:Imbecile. He WAS in. That's the point.
The cars on his property wh should he move it. WTF would they have done if he wasnt in. If he was parked on a fire hydrent or causing willful obstruction with or without intent then fair enough. In future he probably wont even answer the door then he wont get charged. I mean personally Id have slung the fireman my keys at them and let them move it. Really who ever called the fire brigade should be charged for false call. Whilst they where checking out a flat battery someone somewhere could have been dieing. It rubbish followed by more rubbish, followed by more rubbish comments.
Mikeyzaz
says...
8:17pm Tue 8 May 12
keithrg wrote:Hello? Hello? Is anybody Home? It wasn't on axle stands was it? Wow! What if it was at a different address? What would they have done then?
What if the car was on axle stands ect ect. There was alternatives and the should have used them. The Fire brigade Turned up Unpreppared.
Mikeyzaz
says...
8:20pm Tue 8 May 12
quick one wrote:I agree. Don't pay. Go to prison instead and take Quick one with you; for a quick one..........
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
girlie71
says...
8:24pm Tue 8 May 12
steve@eastwood
says...
8:54pm Tue 8 May 12
quick one wrote:You have had a war with whom? The Fire Service, The Police or the courts? Maybe all of them, please enlighten us.
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
King El
says...
9:14pm Tue 8 May 12
quick one wrote:And there was me thinking Mr. Kingston was the prize prat. At least he had the good sense to plead guilty !
dont pay the fine its your car on your drive i no what they are like as ive had wars with them they think they are the law dont pay you will win in the end
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
9:22pm Tue 8 May 12
Nebs
says...
11:00pm Tue 8 May 12
muffindamule
says...
8:27am Wed 9 May 12
Nebs wrote:That belongs to the Kingstons. They live on another planet.
Why is one of the Sky TV dishes pointing a different way to the other five?
Leighdweller
says...
8:40am Wed 9 May 12
- Refusal to help his neighbours
- Refusal to help the emergency services
- Leaching of the state for benefits
What sort of example are they setting?
I wouldn't be surprised if he tries to get some sort of compensation for the 'trauma' hes been caused.
This sort of person gets on my nerves!
andyh
says...
10:16am Wed 9 May 12
muffindamule wrote:I wonder if belongs to the upstairs neighbour in question - it is not a Sky dish but is pointing further East, probably at a satelite that broadcasts to Eastern Europe or the Middle East.
Nebs wrote:That belongs to the Kingstons. They live on another planet.
Why is one of the Sky TV dishes pointing a different way to the other five?
The collection of aerials, including dishes, visible also looks to be in excess of the number permitted by the planning laws without special permission.
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
11:16am Wed 9 May 12
andyh
says...
12:42pm Wed 9 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylaIf you look on the photo at the top of the article you will see on the building:
ne wrote:
i am wondering have all the posters that have seen these sky/not sky dishes been to the property, as i cannot see any dishes in my picture. Any other pictures anywhere ?
Above Mrs Kingston's right shoulder - 2 dishes, 1 Sky (or Freesat), 1 other.
Above the centre of the Windscreen of their car - 2 Sky (or Freesat) Dishes.
Slightly to the left of those - 2 more dishes. One only just visible over the car, and another at the level of the narrow windows. Both likely Sky (or Freesat).
You might be able to see them also on Google Streetview, but I haven't been able to work out the location - Mellow Purgess Close seems to be a rather long and convoluted road.
saddo99
says...
12:53pm Wed 9 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
5:27pm Wed 9 May 12
ChampKind
says...
5:37pm Wed 9 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
5:48pm Wed 9 May 12
saddo99
says...
6:02pm Wed 9 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylaI take it Shady Lane is near Runwell! Best stick to reading something more in your intellectual field, like The Sun.
ne wrote:
who is? (just for the record) Mr K ?
Cowpatrectus
says...
9:52pm Wed 9 May 12
May I suggest something to both Mr & Mrs Kingston: if neither of you were in a position to be able to move the car out, a quick fix would have cleared the affair in 5 seconds. Why didn't you just hand your car key to the Fireman on your door-step to move your car ? I don't understand your motives, be it otherwise obstination & in which case maybe you deserved the fine that you got. Sorry, the public sector workers, who work to help US, should be shown a little respect.
Seasider90
says...
2:21pm Thu 10 May 12
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
5:03pm Thu 10 May 12
RogerChasewood
says...
5:19pm Thu 10 May 12
Trainman
says...
3:28pm Fri 11 May 12
IF she gets carers allowance, it SHOULD be stopped, Pronto.
I cared for my late Wonderful Wife, but never got paid, OR left her unless she agreed to me going out.
I too have seen the death of a person following a fire, and it was NASTY.
ANY person obstructing ANY Emergency vehicle answering ANY Emergency, should be HEAVILY Fined.
Nivekc1976
says...
6:45pm Fri 11 May 12
naughtyladyofshadylane
says...
7:55pm Fri 11 May 12
Diannah
says...
8:52pm Fri 11 May 12
itwillhappenoneday says...
11:20am Mon 7 May 12