Punitive letter from Penzance (7)

I believe the answer is:

penance

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'punitive letter from penzance' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'letter from penzance' is the wordplay.
'letter' becomes 'z'.
'from' suggests deleting specific letters.
'penzance' with 'z' taken out is 'PENANCE'.

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(Other definitions for penance that I've seen before include "sacrament" , "Voluntary self-abasement" , "Punishment for wrongdoing, by religion perhaps" , "Mortification" , "Voluntary self-punishment" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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