IT consultant Ganesh Prakasam was forced to pay clampers £1,100 despite parking for just three minutes in Hertford Road. 

The 32-year-old, of Winchmore Hill, claimed he could not see “unclear” signs warning him that the area was patrolled by clampers Citywatch Enforcement.

The on-the-spot fine was equivalent to being charged more than £360 per minute, or £6 per second.

He said he was in “complete shock” at the “extortionate amount” he had been forced to pay.

The Enfield Independent also released harrowing images of a 65-year-old man who was beaten by a gang of youths outside his home in Burncroft Avenue.

Michael Glover, who filmed the attack on a video camera, said he felt “totally ignored” by the police and had taken to filming gang members on his estate in case they caused trouble.

At the end of the month, a brownie leader made an emotional plea to thieves to return a minibus which had been stolen from the 9th Enfield Brownies.

Brown Owl Kathy Brown said: “It’s very disappointing for the children. I was hoping to get it ready to use this year for trips, but now we won’t be able to.”

She said the bus, which was used to transport her 12 brownies all over the country, was worth approximately £1,000 and she expected it would be sold as scrap metal.