good, they have to be paid for somehow and people not sticking to the rules and therefore causing them work should be the ones to pay rather than just everyone who pays tax.
bit of a bummer him being such a jobsworth when you were about to change them, but he couldn't be sure that you were and has to apply the rules at the time of the offence. if you don't like the fine, don't do the crime.
was it one of those silly pressed metal ones meant to look german?