Smart Parking - Do I have a defence?

e1ganma5

I'll try and keep this brief which may cause further questions to be asked so apologies.
My partner pulled into a Smart Parking car park to deal with a child (in the car also). We had previously parked in this car park and it was pay and display at the time. The system had changed to ANPR, but my partner obviously missed the sign at the entrance when pulling in. She didn't leave the car and left after around 15 minutes. We got a PCN due to going over the free 10 minutes and appealed in good faith, having never had a PCN before never looked at this site telling you how to beat the PCN. Appeal turned down and popla appeal turned down. Obviously I'm now aware we were idiots appealing in good faith, live and learn!
I should also point out I am the registered keeper but she dealt with the appeal as the driver, again I now know how stupid this was! 
We then saw this site and have been ignoring the debt recovery letters, but this morning got a Letter Before Claim from CST Law. We will be requesting a SAR from Smart Parking and replying to CST telling them we have done that and to put the proceedings on hold.
My main question, is my actual defense good enough for court (i.e. not willing to pay the initial £70 for a 4-minute overstay mistake) or will I need to find another defense?

Many thanks

nosferatu1001

Firstly, welcomd
Secondly, have you read the newbies thread? Yes or No
Third, please please please use paragraphs. Makes posts a lot easier to read. 
Fourth, was the driver identified in the appeal? Yes or No. You know, we dont. 

D_P_Dance

Everyone has a defence, whether is has legs or not depends on how it is written.  The newbies gives you considerable help there, only a fool would ignore it.  

e1ganma5

I've had a good read through the newbies thread but probably not digested it all, I'll go through it again.
Yes, the driver was identified in the appeal.

Coupon-mad

I should also point out I am the registered keeper but she dealt with the appeal as the driver, again I now know how stupid this was! 

Oh no...I was about to tell you that you had a perfect defence.  So frustrating.

Colin476

Hi
My wife recently fell foul of these Cowboys, there is a disused car park in my town where Smart Con artists operate.
My defence is this we went to the entrance again and looked at the Orange smart parking sign, it's brand new, I do not recall ever seeing this before, I have asked them to prove when they erected this sign, I suspect by the condition of the sign it has only been a matter of days.

Coupon-mad

But every keeper who gets a Smart Parking PCN in the post has a perfect defence that's nothing to do with that...please read the NEWBIES thread to learn why.

Redx

It's those who blab about who was driving that cannot have a perfect defence

People who put themselves in the frame have a harder time than those who keep it zipped