Council chased blind 'driver' for £571 parking fine

A MAN was mistakenly hounded by bailiffs for a parking fine on a car that did not belong to him - and despite the fact that he is blind.

Mark White, 39, of Welling, Kent, was sent letters demanding £571.76 for a parking fine on a vehicle he never owned. He has been registered blind with Bexley council for four years and gave up his driving licence 15 years ago. But he was still forced to contact the DVLA and police to prove that his identity had been stolen and another person had registered the Ford Escort in his name two years ago. Despite this he was told by a council worker he could not be removed from their enquiries.

Mr White, an engineering student at Greenwich University, said: "It's unbelievable. How can I have a car? They don't seem to see me being blind as not being able to drive."

The council confirmed that no further action would be taken against Mr White after it was contacted by a local newspaper.

A council spokesman said: "Bexley has cancelled this ticket and halted any action by bailiffs. We apologise for the distress caused but we rely on the information provided to us by the DVLA. We will be writing to Mr White to confirm the issue has been dropped."