A BUSINESSMAN has been slapped with a bill for more than £400 for a parking ticket issued to a van he sold in 2015.

Terry Williams is facing the £423 bill after the Mercedes Sprinter van he once owned received the ticket in Birmingham.

The self-employed Darlington man had documents showing that he had transferred his insurance but the logbook changes had not been registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

Mr Williams, a plasterer, said he was completely unaware of the problem until he was alerted to the parking ticket in February last year. 

"I have tried everything to get this sorted out," he said. "As far as I was concerned, I sold the van and changed all the insurance details for my new vehicle.

"I was shocked when I discovered that I had been given a parking ticket and it became even worse when I was contacted by the bailiffs telling me they were going to come and remove property from my home.

"I'm now to scared to answer my door in case it is the bailiffs – as far as I''m concerned I don't owe them a penny."

According to the DVLA website, the responsibility to record changes to a logbook is down to the previous owner when they sell the vehicle.

Failure to do so leaves the registered keeper liable to any parking or speeding related fines.

Mr Williams is adamant that he carried out the correct paperwork and was surprised to learn that the van was still the registered in his name.

"I just want this problem sorting out," he said. "I can't sleep for worrying about the bailiffs coming and knocking on my door. The whole situation is really upsetting and I have done the best to resolve the problem."

The parking ticket was issued by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, which covers an area on the outskirts of Birmingham.

A council spokesperson said: “A penalty charge notice was issued in February last year to the registered keeper of this vehicle. These details were supplied by the DVLA.

“We did request evidence that Mr Williams was not the registered keeper but did not receive such evidence.

“The case is now on hold and will be decided in county court.”