I’ve had 11 driving fines in 17 days even though I paid the first time – I’m being ‘harassed’

A MAN who said he received 11 fines in 17 days claims he is being "harassed" by his local council.

Graham Clarke, 82, was allegedly slapped with a total of 14 fines for driving into a bus lane while visiting Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

2

2

Despite claiming to have paid the penalty notice at the first opportunity, the pensioner says he is routinely sent fresh fines, sometimes multiple times a day.

Graham Clarke was visiting the Kent town when his satnav reportedly directed him into the bus lane.

Within a few days a fine dropped through his letterbox.

Mr Clarke said that he realised his mistake immediately after the incident, where he claims the bus lane was not clearly marked, and he paid the fine.

"I don't believe in owing anyone which is why I paid it as soon as I received it," Mr Clarke said.

But a few days later he received another fine, with the same reference number and same offence.

After reportedly speaking to the council for nearly an hour, Graham was told that his debt had been cleared.

So, he was shocked when the same fine arrived through his letterbox every day for the next seven days, listing the same offence with a different date.

He said: "They just kept coming. Yesterday I received three which makes 14.

"I am just absolutely flabbergasted.

"It is harassment. They are threatening me with the bailiffs and extra costs in these letters but I have paid the fine.

"I've got photos of the reference number confirming I paid and when I rang they confirmed I have paid."

He added: "I don't know where to turn now.

"It's just beginning to get very worrying as the threat of it being passed to the debt recovery agent and all that goes with it is causing sleep problems.

"I hold Tunbridge Wells council responsible as the complaints line is discontinued and the only way is to speak to the traffic parking office line and wait in the queue, which I did last week when I waited 54 minutes one day and again for 38 minutes another day.

"I think I deserve an apology at the very least, if not compensation for the telephone costs and the time spent on the phone."

Now that it has been over the 28 day time limit since the incident, Mr Clarke fears there will be greater consequences to this misunderstanding.

He said: "It is quite worrying, I am scared that they are going to come knocking down my door any day now accusing me of not paying it.

"It was my first time in Tunbridge Wells and I definitely won't be going back there now."

A Tunbridge Wells Borough Council spokesperson said: "We are very sorry that Mr Clarke has received duplicate letters relating to the same case.

"On investigation this was found to be the result of an isolated software issue. We have been in touch with Mr Clarke to explain this and to apologise for the distress and inconvenience this has caused. We are working with our software provider to help prevent this from happening again.’