Good morning

I am sitting dumbfounded right now. I today received a demand from HM Courts & Tribunal serivce for £200. They relate to three seperate incidents. A charge at Hastings Magistrate Court for no vehicle license dated from August of 2005, a fine called 'obstruction' from September 2008 and a similar item from February 2009.

I'm stretching the bounds of my mental capacity, but as I recall the 2005 matter relates to a vehicle that belonged to my ex-wife's uncle, that was registered in my name, but was kept by her when we divorced. When the vehicle's taxiation expired, she abandoned the vehicle approximately 1 mile from my residence and told me nothing about it. I only discovered this when it was raised when I attended the magistrates in Eastbourne to challenge a speeding fine (which was dismissed). The magistrate at that time asked whether I had any history of any other road related matters and they told me of this. The magistrate...as best I recall...closed the matter. If I remember correctly, he said a few words about I had clearly had a challenging time with the divorce and a matter relating to my son being in the papers after being violently assaulted. He simply closed the matter. That's what I recall, but it's SO long ago I simply am incapable of relating the events accurately. I left feeling relieved and grateful the matter was resolved.

As for the items from 2008 and 2009, again, I'm doing this to the best of my ability and memory: I believe they were tickets I received when I was at a 'loading area.' I readily admit that I DO park in these locations on the occasion when I collect human remains from Funeral Directors. I am a priest and approximately 20-30 times a year I park, go into a funeral director's to collect the ashes of someone whose funeral I have celebrated. To my recollection I have received, perhaps three times in the last five to ten years, a ticket for having parked in those loading zones. This is despite the fact that I have a pre-printed card which I display in the right corner of my windscreen that says I am conducting 'Funeral Matters.' There is a small statement at the bottom of the card that says I am either conducting a Bereavement visit or collecting or dropping off items in association with the funeral. It deliberately does not indicate that I am collecting human remains as I feel it can be considered as distasteful.

In any event, when I've received said tickets, I have responded by sending a small letter explaining what I was doing, the name of the funeral director and the name of the deceased. In some occasions I have provided the name of the funeral arranger I was speaking with, (when appropriate). I don't recall ever receving any challenge after sending such a letter.

This letter I've received is quite intimidating and makes reference to a bailiff clamping my car and entering my home. Understandably I'm quite upset and intimidated.

I have no idea what to do. The amount of the claim is frighteningly high yet even if I could easily pay it I don't believe they are valid, just, or due.

I would be most grateful for any advice you might offer. I've been given an uiltimatum to pay by the 24th of this month or face the consequences.

Thank you!

Fr. Bill+