A PENSIONER has been threatened with court action after failing to pay a 28p water bill.

Housebound Raymond Medlen, 78, of Clark Close in Slade Green received the ludicrous letter on March 25, stating he would be taken to court and could even face losing his home because of the minor debt.

Mr Medlen was "shocked" to have received this letter as he had increased his standing in order to cover a 14p a month water bill increase only two weeks prior.

His sister Maureen Price, of Wessex Drive in Slade Green, is "appalled" at the way her brother has been treated.

The 76-year-old said: "He had a massive stroke followed by a quadruple bypass and spent six months in hospital.

"He is not a well man and shouldn’t have had to spend the whole weekend worrying about the action the letter threatened.

"I think it’s disgusting, and shouldn’t have taken all this time to sort out."

Mrs Price went to Orbit South office, in West Street, Erith to pay off the 28p debt but they would not accept payment there.

She was told they would need to see her brother or at least have proof he wanted her to deal with his case.

Mrs Price went on to add: "I'm angry because they shouldn’t be sending threatening letters out to a disabled person that’s 78 when there’s all those people out there owing hundreds of pounds.

"I think it’s despicable."

Head of income at Orbit South Jane Patterson said: "The system automatically generates reminder letters for arrears over £10 and in this instance, a possession order letter was sent by mistake.

"We apologise for any distress or inconvenience to Mr Medlen and his family.

"We would like to reassure Mr Medlan that we are not looking to take any formal action against him and to explain this, we have arranged for a team member to contact him directly."