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£350 penalty for builder who photocopied father’s Blue Badge parking permit (4 May 2016)

Date: 04/05/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, £350 penalty for builder who photocopied father’s Blue Badge parking permit

A builder who used a photocopy of a Blue Badge issued to his disabled father has been prosecuted, after a Croydon Council civil enforcement officer spotted the fraudulent copy.

Croydon Magistrates’ Court heard that, on 27 July 2015, the council civil enforcement officer spotted a car parked in Bedford Place, Croydon displaying what appeared to be a photocopy of a Blue Badge parking permit.
A penalty charge notice was issued and the car was impounded.

When collecting the vehicle, builder Adam Mansfield, 42, of Rainham in Essex said the badge was valid – and that he had been driving his father, who was the registered holder.

Officers of the council’s fraud team spoke to Mansfield’s father, who said he had not been with the defendant at the time of the offence.

In a subsequent interview, Mansfield admitted to the investigators that he had photocopied his father’s permit and had obtained a Blue Badge clock from a friend.

When questioned about his actions, he stated that he had been experiencing financial hardship and – while working in the vicinity of Bedford Place – had used the permit to avoid parking fees.

At Croydon Magistrates’ Court, Mansfield admitted the charge and was fined £150 and ordered to pay £200 in prosecution costs.

After the hearing, Croydon Coouncil’s Cabinet Member for communities, safety and justice, Councillor Mark Watson said:

“Here’s a case that shows that crime definitely doesn’t pay.

“This man fraudulently used a Blue Badge parking permit with the express intention of saving a few pounds in parking fees. That small saving has now cost him £350 in fines and costs – and, more seriously, earned him a criminal record.

“Blue Badges are issued to motorists with a genuine need – but, sadly, there are other motorists keen to try to take advantage of the benefits for their own selfish ends.

“They might get away with it one, two, three times – but they will eventually be caught; and when they are, they will be prosecuted and pay the price, both financially and reputationally [sic].”

Duncan Lewis Motoring Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors can advise at any stage of a motoring offence, including charges relating to insurance fraud, Blue Badge fraud, careless or dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving, speeding offences, DUI, failing to report an accident, driving uninsured or without a licence and vehicle maintenance offences.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and a criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station for interview under caution within an hour.

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

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