John Terry slammed as 'diabolical' for parking in Esher disabled bay
Matthew Seaby, who has previously confronted John Terry over his behaviour, said it may lead others to think 'if he’s done it I can do it as well'
Matthew Seaby, who has previously confronted John Terry over his behaviour, said it may lead others to think 'if he’s done it I can do it as well'
Footballer John Terry’s latest disabled parking space misdemeanour has been slammed as ‘diabolical’ by a man who has confronted the Chelsea captain over his behaviour.
The former England international’s Range Rover was left in the reserved disabled space in Esher High Street last weekend outside his hairdresser and a kebab shop.
In 2008, his Bentley was caught on camera in a disabled space, again in Esher, while around 18 months ago, he was challenged by a blue badge holder in Brooklands Tesco as the 34-year-old defender began to pull into the last available disabled space.
Matthew Seaby, a buddy scheme co-ordinator at Esher-based Voluntary Action Elmbridge, said on that occasion Terry had offered to buy his shopping after he was confronted at the store and that the latest indiscretion was all the more disappointing given how apologetic he seemed.
Mr Seaby, a Chelsea fan himself, said: “He acknowledged it was a bit too much, so to get caught out like he did a few days ago is ridiculous. It was wrong for him to do it. It’s diabolical.
"He is a public figure and a role model to a lot of people who will say ‘if he’s done it I can do it as well’.”
During the incident at Brooklands, Mr Seaby’s PA challenged Terry, saying ‘excuse me, this is the only disabled bay’ and Terry came up to speak to Mr Seaby who explained that he understood the footballer would want to get in and out quickly but that he was in an adapted vehicle and needed the extra room.
According to Byfleet resident Mr Seaby, Terry said: “I’m really sorry. I didn’t think, I’ve got the kids with me, you’re right,” and he then offered to pay for Mr Seaby’s shopping, although he was turned down.
Terry was first criticised for parking in a disabled bay, again in Esher High Street, in 2008 when he parked his Bentley outside Pizza Express to have a long lunch with his family.
In that instance, he received a £60 fine and his aide promised it would never happen again. His representatives were unavailable for comment this time.
Mr Seaby believed that although people often park inappropriately, Terry’s celebrity means it draws attention to the wider issue.
“People like myself can say the system’s wonky anyway,” he said. “It does allow us to raise a wider issue.
“There are limited spaces available and there needs to be a greater respect that if they are available, they can only be used for people who should be using them.”
For every 34 parking bays in Surrey, just two must be disabled bays, and Mr Seaby said when he goes out on trips for Voluntary Action Elmbridge, the most-asked question is ‘what is the parking like?’
According to Mr Seaby, there are more than 1,000 applications for blue badges in Surrey each year which means there are five people who want each space available in most town centres.
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surr...rking-10185350