Free Traffic Legal Advice

Hi all,

Hoping for some kind advice whilst assisting a friend who is unemployed and struggling financially.

Timeline of events:

• 27/07/25 - Date of fixed penalty notice for alleged littering offence of dropping cigarette butt in heavily littered area. Alleged offender claims unintentional and feels harassed by enforcement officers.
• 04/08/25 – Initial appeal/complaint sent via APCOA online portal regarding incorrect location on FPN (see below). Auto-response acknowledgement from APCOA received on same date.
  
  Quote

  Dear Sir/Madam,
  I am writing to formally challenge the Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) issued to me, going through this process, as I believe it has been incorrectly recorded. On 27 July 2025, I was walking through Lampton Park, located at postcode TW3 4FD. However, the FPN states that the alleged offence occurred in Feltham TW14 0HP, with a completely different postcode. This discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy of the notice.
  I trust that any available footage or location data will confirm that I was in Lampton Park at the stated time, not in Feltham. In light of this error, I respectfully request that the FPN be cancelled. I look forward to your response,
  Regards
• 13/08/25 - 'Reminder Letter' dated 11/08/25 received in post from Hounslow Council. New FPN dated 11/08/25 (same date as letter) shown on reverse containing corrected location information. Letter states fine 'now increased to £500' (from £250) - without the reduced payment period having been offered for the new FPN as wording suggests. Original FPN number shown as voided when viewing online portal.
• 28/08/25 - 'Final Reminder' dated 26/08/25 received in post from Hounslow Council stating to make £500 payment within 7 days of the letter date to avoid prosecution in Magistrates Court
• 29/08/25 - Subject Access Request (SAR) sent to Hounslow Council by alleged offender requesting all evidence including body footage of enforcement officer for both FPNs.

Notable points:

• Incorrect location on original FPN.
• No response received from APCOA after online portal appeal/complaint on 04/08/25.
• Reminder letter received dated 11/08/25 for a new FPN with correct location - FPN also dated 11/08/25
• New FPN not received at all by alleged offender
• Same reminder letter 'increased fine to £500' without offering reduced charge time period for new FPN
• Original FPN showing as voided after checking manually on online portal
• Payment deadline to avoid criminal prosecution is Tues 2nd Sept
• Mitigating personal circumstances: Alleged offender cites 'severe emotional distress' at the time of alleged offence, which can be supported by Hounslow NHS Mental Health Integration Network (MINT) therapist.

Link to all documents: https://drive.proton.me/urls/S6YCWHK6HR#pYnNBht1Pr80

Clearly this feels like procedural impropriety? Please let me know if you have any advice at all as the alleged offender is otherwise looking to pay on Monday to avoid criminal prosecution. Thank you for your time

Any final advice please? Should they simply pay up as there are no grounds in court for a win?

If he’s admitted the offence in writing

possibly not the best approach for this type of FPN ??