Driver who helped homeless man has fine overturned

Lee Williamson said he pulled in to a bus stop to give a homeless man clothes, food, and to chat to him

A man who was fined after he pulled into a bus stop on Christmas Day to help a homeless man is to have his penalty cancelled by Leicester's mayor.

Lee Williamson, 43, of Evington, Leicester, said he stopped to give a homeless man a blanket, hat, gloves, scarf, food, and chat to him.

He later received a £70 fine, despite there being no buses on 25 December.

Sir Peter Soulsby, the city mayor, said to punish Mr Williamson for doing a "good deed" was "absolutely crazy".

• Live updates from the East Midlands

Mr Williamson said he was "over the moon" following Sir Peter's intervention.

"That just the news I wanted to hear," he said. "Common sense is prevailing. I'm happy with that."

Leicester City Council had said the camera enforcement was an important safety measure after a cyclist died there in 2016.

Mr Williamson said it felt like he was being punished for helping someone and would never normally dream of stopping at a bus stop. He had also said he would not pay the fine.

It prompted many people to offer to pay it on his behalf due to Mr Williamson's initial generosity.

War veteran Mr Williamson said it is normally a busy road and he would "never dream" of stopping at a bus stop

Now, Sir Peter has said he will help overturn the fine, having first stated that "legal parking" had been available nearby.

He told the BBC: "It was quite clear what Lee was doing was an act of a good Samaritan on Christmas day and even though it's important to keep this safe... there are exceptions."

He confirmed the penalty would not be enforced.