Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi All,
Please could I have some advice regards failing to comply with a red light.
Our defence is that the red light we passed shared its pole with another traffic light for two right turning lanes which was showing green. The traffic light pole was damaged in that it had rotated 30 or 40 degrees clockwise (looking from above).
This meant that we couldn't see the red light, just a green light on our side of the 3 lane road.

Is this a valid excuse? Annoyingly the Police photo cuts off right at the edge of the second set of lights but it does show the red light is not facing approching traffic.

I'll insert the police picture below and attach a google streetview from last year showing the scene. We're in the grey Mini going over the line. You can just see the twisted traffic light to our right.

Just got the letter today so we'll start with declaring the driver but wondered if it's then worth appealing this or if it's better to just pay up and hope for a safety course? It says we were 3.6 seconds into red if that matters?

Thanks very much. 



https://i.postimg.cc/1RDBHprW/Google-Streetview.png

Hi,
My friend has received a pcn from Hounslow council for "Failing to comply with a prohibition on certain types of vehicle". They drove through No motor vehicles between 8am and 7pm sign.
I'll post up the letter when I work out how to join a picture hosting site.
The only hope I can see is that it happened on Dec 5th and the letter was issued on Dec 23rd but perhaps the 14 day thing only applies to speeding tickets?

Thanks and Happy Christmas