originally publish by By: News Bulletin
A man who misused a Blue Badge in Borehamwood has pleaded guilty following an investigation by the Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS).
Shorif Miah, 29, of Newport Avenue, Tower Hamlets, London, pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates’ Court to wrongful use of a disabled badge on Wednesday, August 2.
The court heard that on November 30 last year, Miah parked his vehicle in a disabled parking bay on Shenley Road, Borehamwood. He had displayed a Blue Badge, issued by London Borough of Tower Hamlets to someone else, in his vehicle which exempted him from parking restrictions.
A Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) for Hertsmere Borough Council (HBC) conducted a routine check and asked to inspect the Blue Badge to confirm ownership and discovered that the badge did not belong to him. Miah confirmed the badge belonged to his mother, who was not present with him. The badge was seized by the CEO and referred to the SAFS to further investigate. The case was prosecuted internally by HBC’s Legal Department.
The magistrates ordered Miah to pay a fine of £92, a £37 victim surcharge, and to pay the investigation and prosecution costs of £850 to the council, a total of £979.
Councillor Parveen Rani, HBC’s portfolio holder for parking, said: “Blue Badges are distributed with the sole intention of supporting those with disabilities and should not be used by someone other than the badge holder or without the badge holder present.
“This case shows that we will forward any alleged cases of misuse or fraud through to SAFS to investigate and prosecute where there is evidence to do so.
“It is also a reflection of the great work our CEOs do to protect the rights of people with disabilities and enforce the Blue Badge scheme in our borough.”