Crime Solicitors

Bromley Council has prosecuted two motorists for misusing Blue Badge parking permits belonging to deceased permit holders.

In separate prosecutions, both defendants pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay fines totalling £995, including prosecution costs and victim surcharges.

The first case involved an incident on 9 February 2016, when Alana Ellisdon, 31, of Hayes Lane in Beckenham, Kent misused a Blue Badge to park in Queens Road, Bromley.

The older style, handwritten Blue Badge on display in her vehicle raised suspicion, as the date had been altered and the style of badge had ceased to be valid after December 2014.

In a communication with the council’s Parking Services team, Ellisdon stated that she was out shopping with her grandmother and had clearly displayed the disabled badge. However, during a later interview under caution, Ellisdon admitted that her previous communication had not been correct and she had found the badge in a car park in Hayes earlier in the year.

The other prosecution relates to an incident on 12 March 2016, when Lynn Marney, 61, of Parsonage Bank in Eynsford displayed a Blue Badge while she parked on the High Street in Chislehurst.

When a Civil Enforcement Officer asked Marney to hand over the badge for inspection, she refused and verbally abused the officer, before driving away.

The officer issued a Penalty Charge Notice and it was later established that the Blue Badge on display belonged to Marney’s mother, who had passed away shortly after the badge was issued.

Blue Badge misuse is criminal offence, which can lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.

Bromley Council’s Executive Assistant for the Environment, Councillor Lydia Buttinger, said:

“Drivers who abuse the scheme should be warned that our crackdown will continue to intensify – and it is only a question of time before they are caught.

“We will not tolerate abuse of any kind – and badge holders must ensure that they are familiar with the scheme rules, which also apply to anyone driving on their behalf.”

Duncan Lewis Motoring Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors can advise at any stage of a motoring offence, including advising on Blue Badge fraud, appeals against parking tickets, speeding fines, or bus lane tickets.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across the country and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis can also advise on charges relating to DUI, dangerous or careless driving, failing to report an accident, driving while uninsured or without a valid licence, vehicle maintenance offences and vehicle theft.

For expert legal advice on motoring offences, call Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.