The woman in Dagenham used the Blue Badge to park on a yellow line
A London woman has been faced with a hefty £1,000 fine after using her dead mother’s cancelled Blue Badge for parking. The driver from Beam Avenue, Dagenham used the badge to park on a yellow line in the borough.
A civil enforcement officer on patrol at the time checked the badge and confirmed that its status was cancelled. Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence that can lead to prosecution – offenders can be charged up to £1,000 and ordered to pay towards costs of the Council prosecution, and a criminal record.
Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, Cllr Teresa O’Neill OBE, said: “There can be no excuse for this type of shameful abuse of a scheme designed to assist those with genuine disabilities. I am pleased that justice has been rightfully served on this occasion.”
Mrs Krassimira Choutova pleaded guilty ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on Wednesday July 27 and was fined a total of £1,170. She was fined £700, ordered to pay costs of £400 and a surcharge of £70.
Blue Badges can only be used by the named badge holder, or by a person who has dropped off or is collecting the badge holders from a place where the vehicle is parked. They are issued to people with serious mobility problems and disabilities and allow people who need extra help to park closer to their home or destination.