Medway council bosses insist that any driver caught by its controversial spy camera car will get a picture of their vehicle – if they ask.

The issue of photographic evidence was at the heart of the case which led a disgruntled motorist to climb into a compound at night and put a clamp on the CCTV car, as exclusively reported in Friday's Medway Messenger.

Melvin Stringer, 47, pictured, from Gillingham, took the drastic action in Strood after bailiffs clamped his Mercedes after his refusal to pay up. He disputed the fine and told the Messenger he had requested a photo which hadn’t been received.

Pictures are not routinely sent out when a penalty notice is sent through the post, but after our exclusive story in Friday’s edition, Medway Council sought to clarify the matter.

Disputing Mr Stringer’s version of events, it said: "Photographic evidence is always available to someone who requests it."

Furious Mr Stringer, 47, of Richmond Road, had sneaked into the Strood compound and clamped a CCTV car after he was ordered to pay £430 to release his car.

He said: "I wouldn’t have gone this far if they had sent me the evidence showing it was my car."

The council, which has reported it to the police, said they could not comment any further on the case.

A police spokesman said: "Kent Police was contacted by Medway Council in relation to an incident which took place in Strood. Officers are investigating the circumstances."