A DIABETIC'S car was clamped after he parked it illegally in order to eat food, fearing he was about to slip into a hypoglycaemic coma.

Paul Causebrook, who is now refusing to pay the fine, claims he had been left with a dangerously low blood sugar level, after being delayed on a job.

The building surveyor parked in Angler Court, Marlow, a private car park at the back of Spittal Street, so he could dash to Pips sandwich shop to buy food.

But Sean Roberts, who bolted the device on the car and owns clamping company PCC, disputes the fact that Mr Causebrook, of Shiplake, near Henley, was about to slip into a coma.

Mr Causebrook said: "I feel very disappointed. I had to take emergency measures to get some food. I feel they should at least take this into account.

"I think they feel I'm just someone trying to get out of a parking fine. I could have parked in my own car park a short distance away but I didn't because I really could not waste any time."

Mr Causebrook, who works close to the private car park in Dean Street, added: "I did not manage to explain myself very well to the car clamper. I was still shaking from my hypo and you tend to go off in tangents in that sort of state this was made worse by the panic of seeing my car clamped."

But Mr Roberts says Mr Causebrook did not appear to be confused or in a state of shock.

He added: "The gentleman was far from confused. My brother is diabetic so I know what it is about. He never once explained that he had had a fit. He just said he hadn't seen the signs which say private parking. He gave me £20 and his mobile as insurance.

"He agreed to pay the rest of the money later. I'm a fair man and have already knocked £20 off the £60 charge."