A MOTORIST feels “cheated” after his car was towed away and destroyed when he broke down – even though the council admitted he had done nothing wrong.

Albert Konadu, of Gateshead Road, Borehamwood, has spent the last year fighting Haringey Council, who have refused to compensate him even though they agreed his car never should have been pounded in the first place.

The father-of-two’s silver BMW conked out on Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, in the evening of June 2014, and he steered it to safety.

He left a note on the windscreen explaining he had broken down but when he returned with a mechanic the next morning, the car had gone.

Assuming it had been stolen he reported it to the police, who discovered it had actually been towed away because he had parked on a yellow line.

When he visited the pound, he was stunned to be told it would cost him £250 to get it back.

Disgruntled and with his car still impounded, he appealed to Haringey Council.

But while officers decided whether his appeal should be allowed, they scrapped the car without warning in November.

Mr Konadu said: “I was flabbergasted. It was incredibly frustrating. I feel extremely cheated by the council and I am still feeling emotional about it.

“Every time I think about what happened I feel so confused at first, and then so angry. They have really done me over – it’s not fair.

“It’s a complete injustice. There are no words.”

Haringey council initially rejected his appeal because he had not supplied proof he had broken down, even though without access to his car he was unable to prove that he had.

But after another appeal, in March this year the council finally admitted they wrong to issue the fine when he had broken down and cancelled it.

Much to his dismay, after requesting compensation in May, his demand was rejected.

He added: “This is wholly unreasonable. I feel devastated by what’s happened. The council have admitted they were wrong but still refused to give me any money back.

“It’s just so, so unfair.”

His car, which he only bought in January 2014, was worth £1,500 and his insurance refused to pay out for what happened.

He has now had to buy a new car – a Vauxhall Corsa which cost nearly £3,000.

Parking expert Derek Dishman, who blogs under the name Mr Mustard, has been helping Mr Konadu fight the case and has called it a “gross injustice”.

He said: “The parking ticket no longer exists because the council waived it so the right to use his car is back – but they’ve scrapped it and are refusing to give him compensation.

“He’s entirely innocent and he’s lost his car. That can’t be justice. It’s completely unreasonable, the council have behaved so improperly.

“It’s inevitably going to end up in front of a judge in a courtroom if the council don’t pay up.”

A Haringey Council spokesperson said: “We are currently dealing with this matter and will be in touch with Mr Konadu.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further until we have made contact with Mr Konadu.”