Roberto Buratto, 62, eventually found out he was being asked to pay €20,000 towards a mix of fines and penalties for late payment.

His former partner, Luigina Troglia Gamba, 59, is now on trial in Ivrea, Italy for violation, subtraction and suppression of correspondence.

Mr Buratto told the court that the dozen or so occasions on which his car was recorded running through red lights all took place after their long-term relationship began to break down, and he never received the fines.

He argued that Ms Buratto had deliberately run the red lights for revenge, but she has described his allegations as “nonsense”.

The case continues in March.