Vehicle theft victim cops fines for stolen car

After his car was stolen last year, Sameer Sayal was not prepared to be taken to court for speeding and parking fines racked up by the thief.

Mr Sayal reported to police that his car was stolen after it disappeared from Wallace St, Blacktown, on June 23.

The Glenwood resident said he had parked it there for a friend to use but when his friend walked out the next morning, it was gone.

"I went straight to the police station to report the car missing," he said. What really shocked Mr Sayal was receiving letters from Roads and Maritime Services regarding speeding and parking fines accrued near the Third Ave McDonald's in Blacktown.

I could only laugh; when I told the police officer, she laughed too

"I couldn't believe it," he said. "I've never been to the McDonald's there." Despite filing a police report and repeatedly telling RMS the car was stolen, Mr Sayal said he was told to provide the driver's licence of the person using the car.

"If I knew who it was, I would have had my car back and the police would have arrested them," he said.

"I could only laugh; when I told the police officer, she laughed too. "I tried to convince them but they said because the keys were left in the car that it wasn't stolen." The car was found vandalised in Doonside last July but Mr Sayal said RMS still demanded he paid the fines.

A court appearance for the speeding fines was scheduled for December 15 at Blacktown Court.

"I was very stressed about that," Mr Sayal said.

An RMS spokesman said the matter was withdrawn a day before the hearing after police confirmed the car had been stolen during the time the fines occurred.

"Last year was very hard and we're still coping with that," Mr Sayal said.