Chobham man, 82, given 44 PCNs after number plate duplication – South London News

An 82-year-old gardener received 44 penalty notices (PCN) from two councils in south London, although they never entered the boroughs.

Peter Silva of Back of Highstreet, Chobam received his first PCN from Lambeth council in January.

In the past five months, Silva’s son and his neighbor Tony Edie, 77, appealed 44 PCN notices, of which 43 came from Lambeth council with one from Southwark council.

Mr Edie said: “When I got the first fine I saw the registration number was the same and it was a white van as Peter’s.

“Peter thought someone had broken into his van – but the photos show it had a different boot and panels.

“I had to send a picture of his white van to appeal to the PCN.”

Mr Silva received a further three penalty charges for the white van.

Mr Edie said: “Then whoever owns the number plate transferred it to a limousine, so the remaining 40 PCNs show a black car.

“I really can’t believe it.

“The guy who owns the car may not even know it’s a cloned license plate.”

Mr Edie said he had sent the appeals in 12 batches over the past five months.

He said: “Eventually we got letters back saying they were canceled – all but one.”

Lambeth council’s PCN, dated April 17, refers to the Black Citroen Saloon car with Mr Silva’s number plate driving through the forbidden Palace Road.

Mr Edie said: “I answered as soon as the PCN came in but I must have missed it.”

Despite their appeal, Mr Silva received a £195 charge certificate from Lambeth two weeks ago.

Mr Edie said: “Peter had just spent £300 on a new number plate and we finally thought it would be over.

“I tried everything – I emailed Lambeth Park but got no response, I tried every phone number but there was no one to talk to me about it.”

All Mr Silva received from the PCN since January amounted to £65, by successfully challenging £43 Mr Edie saved his neighbor £2,795 in abusive fines.

Mr Edie said: “I’ve avoided a lot but I feel for the poor guy.

“I’m willing to deal with it, but if this had happened to someone more vulnerable, the stress of getting 44 fines could have been severe.”

Mr Edie said he was disappointed by Lambeth council’s failure to respond to the appeal.

He said: “Southwark at least came back to say they were sorry and realize how frustrating it must be for him and we even got a letter from TfL apologizing.

“All he has to do is look back at his own evidence and see that it’s not Peter’s car – it’s completely useless.”

Lambeth Council has been contacted for comment.

Pictured above: From left, Peter Silva and Tony Edie (Image: Tony Edie)

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