Originally Publish By southend.gov.uk
A local resident who worked as a food delivery driver, appeared at court accused of misuse and blue badge fraud.
Andrzej Kacica of Wesley Road, Southend-on-Sea was charged with unlawfully using a blue badge on Wednesday 6 March 2024 at Basildon Magistrates Court.
A civil enforcement officer saw Mr Kacica park his car on double yellow lines whilst displaying a blue badge in Leather Lane, Southend-on-Sea on Thursday 30 March 2023. When Mr Kacica returned to the vehicle he was carrying a Just Eat bag. The officer inspected the blue badge and Mr Kacica admitted that it was his son’s badge but claimed to be collecting food for his son.
Southend-on-Sea City Council’s counter fraud and investigation team interviewed Mr Kacica, who denied that he was working as a delivery driver at the time of the offence and re-stated that he was collecting food for his son. Information later provided by Just Eat proved that Mr Kacica was delivering food at the time of the offence.
Mr Kacica entered a guilty plea at Basildon Magistrates Court and was fined £60 and ordered to pay £800 in costs.
Councillor Kevin Buck, cabinet member for highways, transport and parking, said: “We wholly support the use of blue badges, but this sort of activity undermines a scheme aimed at assisting those that need it. We also have a duty to protect and act against those who fraudulently misuse these badges.”