A couple were left baffled after receiving a speeding fine despite being 1,500 miles away on holiday.
Gary Thornburn and Clare Beards left their car with the official Meet & Greet parking staff at Manchester Airport on August 3 before jetting off to Murcia, Spain, for almost a fortnight.
But returning home to from Leeds, West Yorkshire, on August 16 they were met with a prosecution letter from the police, reports the Manchester Evening News.
The letter, dated six days earlier, claims their Golf GTI was caught driving 55mph in a 30 zone 11 miles from the airport on Alan Turing Way.
Pictures included showed a car of the same type and number plate committing the offence on August 5, two days after they arrived in southern Spain.
Manchester Airport confirmed the car was taken to the safe compound by staff on the same day Gary and Clare flew out.
And said it remained there for the entirety of their holiday.
The couple have contacted the Greater Manchester Police to explain the alleged offence was not committed by them.
Gary said they arrived home at just before midnight on August 16 and found the letter with the rest of their post.
He said: "I wouldn't have ever thought somebody would've been driving around in it going at such a speed. It's a criminal offence and extremely dangerous going 55mph in a 30 zone."
The airport has remained adamant the car did not leave the compound between the dates of the trip.
"I have used meet and greet firms before and never had an issue," continued Gary.
"I knew they take the cars off site to somewhere else, but you don't think you'll be accused of speeding 11 miles away from the airport."
The couple say they are still waiting to hear from GMP.
An airport spokesman said they understand the predicament is "distressing" for the couple and "launched an immediate investigation after being notified".
They said their probe "indicated" the car remained in a secure storage area until it was collected by the owner, while the key was "securely stored throughout".
They went on to say: “Further investigations indicate the vehicle shown in the speed camera image is different to the one that was left with us."
They said the car owners have not made a formal complaint to the airport but representatives have "made several attempts" to speak with them directly in order to "share our findings".
“We want to assure customers that there are a number of strict security measures in place to monitor the whereabouts of vehicles left with us and ensure they are kept safe at all times,” the spokesman added.
