A son of a famous fish seller is fighting a parking ticket issued after he moved his car to make way for an ambulance carrying his late father.

John Kean, who died aged 91, was a local celebrity known for entertaining customers at his Walthamstow Market fish stall - and even recorded a song with pop group The Sugababes.

In July, his son Sidney Kean, 64, was helping his father resettle back home in Rowden Park Garden, Chingford, after a prolonged stay at Whipps Cross Hospital.

Mr Kean said he was parked in a legitimate space before moving his car to make way for the ambulance carrying his father.

He said he was in his house talking to nurses for five minutes when a neighbour warned him his car was about to be towed away for parking illegally.

Mr Kean managed to prevent his vehicle being taken away, but he was hit with a £130 fine.
John Kean has died, but his son is still fighting the penalty as "a matter of principle".

He has unsuccessfully appealed against the ticket a number of times and Mr Kean says the council has "no heart or consideration for the elderly."

He said: “How are you meant to help family members?

“My dad at the time was going through a very severe bout of illness but he was jolly, always telling us jokes right up until the last minute. 

“Some may say that £130 is not a lot of money and I should pay it. 

"It is not about the cash, it is about the principle.”

“I never told my father about the parking ticket he was already ill so I didn’t want to worry him about it.

“But he was a trade unionist his whole life and believed in civil liberties and equality, so he would be standing here shoulder to shoulder with me fighting this.

“To still be getting letters refusing my appeal brings up the pain of him passing all over again.”
Waltham Forest council has been approached for comment.

John Kean also appeared in a number of adverts.