A DRIVER has been slapped with at least five penalties after their vehicle was left in a council car park.

The car, a blue Volkswagen, has been in the car park at the Winchester Hotel, in Worthy Road, for a number of weeks with a note in the window saying: “Clutch broken – can’t move.”

Parking wardens have already stuck five penalty noticed to the windscreen, with another on the road nearby.

One resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: “It has been there five weeks, maybe longer.

“Why keep putting the fixed penalty notices on it? What hasn’t it been moved? What a farce!”

However, speaking earlier this week, a Winchester City Council spokesperson said: “The vehicle does not qualify as abandoned as it has both a current MOT and tax, however penalties have been issued to the car for being parked in an incorrect location within the car park.

“Statutory regulations do not allow us to obtain ownership details from the DVLA until 28 days have passed but this date will be reached on Thursday, October 5, so we will then be able to contact the owner about removing the car as soon as possible.”