Ticket cancelled after traffic warden's con

A driver told today how he received a parking ticket after being conned by a traffic warden.

Property investor Christopher Singellos wanted to park outside a house he manages in Norfolk Place, Westminster.

But only one parking bay was empty and the top of the meter had been removed. To ensure it was legal to park there, he checked with a passing warden who confirmed it was.

But an hour later Mr Singellos, 51, found an £80 parking ticket on the car.

He complained to Westminster but the council insisted he should pay and directed him to a website where motorists can view evidence of their "offence".

Mr Singellos, from Kensal Rise, said: "When I went on to the website I was astonished.

"There was clearly no head on the pole where I parked but the attendant had stood at an angle to take a picture of a fully functioning meter at another bay, with my car in the background.

"It made it look as though the head of the meter was there even though it is still missing to this day."

He said the council told him he should have paid by phone but the sign informing drivers of this was on the meter head.

After being approached by the Evening Standard, Westminster apologised to Mr Singellos and cancelled the ticket, saying the warden had made "a simple mistake".