Court action has been dropped against a Dudley nurse who received a parking fine after being stuck in a lift while visiting a sick child.

Community nurse Lisa Smith spent an hour and 15 minutes in a block of flats in Perry Barr Village, Birmingham, in November 2025. She parked in a permit-only bay, which medical staff are allowed to do for 30 minutes, but was trapped in a lift for more than 20 minutes before being freed by a resident.

She later received a notice that Civil Enforcement Ltd was taking her to court to recover a penalty charge of £266. Smith said she believes she is owed an apology.

The BBC has contacted Civil Enforcement Ltd for comment.

"The court sent the form back I had to complete regarding the hearing and just said it was no longer required because the case has been discontinued," said Smith.

"I would like an apology or an explanation as to why they pursued it so vigorously, even when I provided the evidence from the beginning as to why I was there and that I was stuck in a lift."

Smith's local MP, Sonia Kumar, wrote to the company, asking for the proceedings to be halted.

"Lisa was carrying out essential NHS work, caring for a vulnerable child and putting her patient's needs first," said Kumar.

"What disappointed me most was that there were multiple opportunities to bring this case to an end once the facts were clear."

Smith was not aware of the parking charge straight away because she was driving an NHS pool car and was later off work due to illness.

She said she was now free from the worry of facing court action and said people in a similar situation should dispute claims against them.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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