Hi Henry, I was corresponding with you on Facebook about this case.
Here is the decision I referred to which will have relevance with your circumstances...
Case Details
Case reference 218015398A
Appellant Mohamed Byanouni
Authority London Borough of Barnet
VRM RV62RFK
PCN Details
PCN AG9020969A
Contravention date 08 Mar 2018
Contravention time 16:14:00
Contravention location In Clovelly Avenue (Colindale Primary School) NW9
Penalty amount GBP 130.00
Contravention Stopped in a restricted area outside a school etc
Referral date
Decision Date 17 May 2018
Adjudicator Sean Stanton-Dunne
Appeal decision Appeal allowed
Direction cancel the Penalty Charge Notice and the Notice to Owner.
Reasons
This PCN was issued for the alleged contravention of being stopped in a restricted area outside a school when prohibited. The alleged contravention occurred in Clovelly Avenue at 4.14pm on 8 March 2018.
I have looked at the CCTV footage and also the site images submitted by the Council. These show that Mr Byanouni's vehicle was stopped on entrance markings in front of Colindale Primary School. They also show that there is a sign at the location warning motorists that there is no stopping on the entrance markings between 2.45pm and 4.15pm Mondays to Fridays.
Mr Byanouni appeals because he says that he stopped to pick up his children from school. He says that he is well aware of the restrictions and that the clock in his car showed the time of 4.15pm. The Council says that its clock is calibrated according to the Atomic Clock, ensuring 100% accuracy. The CCTV timing shows the vehicle stopping at 4:14:18.
I accept the evidence of Mr Byanouni that the clock in his car showed the time of 4.15pm. I find that the alleged contravention did not occur. There must be some application of common sense. Motorists cannot all be expected to wear time pieces calibrated to the exact second according to the Atomic Clock. A motorist reading an ordinary watch will not be able to know the time calculated to the exact second.
