Misconduct charge against Katy Spain thrown out

Ceredigion’s head of parking services Katy Spain has returned to her post after a charge of ‘misconduct in public office’ against was dropped.

Spain, who was named Young Parking Professional of the Year at the British Parking Awards 2014, faced the charge at a preliminary hearing at Swansea Crown Court in June 2015.

At the hearing Judge Keith Thomas was told that Spain allegedly instructed a more junior member of staff to prepare a document to replace one that had gone missing as if the replacement was the original. The document was then allegedly sent to a member of the public.

Spain pleaded not guilty, was granted bail and went on extended leave while her case was reviewed by a senior Crown Prosecution Service lawyer. Last month the CPS lawyer concluded there was no case to answer and Spain returned to her post at the Mid-Wales authority.  

A council spokeswoman told Parking Review: “Miss Spain has returned to full employment in her role as parking services manager with Ceredigion County Council. Miss Spain has been re-integrated back into the workplace following a prolonged absence while the council allowed external agencies to fully complete investigations that they initiated. These are now complete without any further action being taken against Miss Spain. The issue has now been dealt with internally and is confidential.”

Katy Spain was appointed as Ceredigion’s first parking services manager, aged just 26, in 2012 when the authority took over parking enforcement. 

Spain came to the attention of the parking world when she took the Young Parking Professional of the Year prize at the British Parking Awards. She was credited with restoring order in Aberystwyth after it had gained notoriety as the town without parking controls following the withdrawal of the police traffic warden service.