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£580 penalty for two drivers guilty of Blue Badge fraud (5 August 2016)

Date: 05/08/2016
Duncan Lewis, Crime Solicitors, £580 penalty for two drivers guilty of Blue Badge fraud

Barnet Council in Greater London has prosecuted two drivers for Blue Badge fraud, after they were both found to be wrongfully using a disabled person’s badge.

At Willesden Magistrates’ Court in July, Mohammed Mohammed, 20, of Westferry Road, Isle of Dogs and Berkan Birol, 22, of Commerce Road in Wood Green, north London both pleaded guilty and were each fined £400, ordered to pay £140 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

The court heard that Mohammed was caught by an officer from the council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT), who was carrying out checks on Blue Badges being displayed in cars parked in streets in Hendon, north London in December 2015.

The checks revealed the badge on display in Mohammed’s car was registered to someone born in 1936.

When questioned, Mohammed admitted he had used the badge – which was registered to his grandmother – because he was late for an exam at Middlesex University.

Blue Badges can only be used by the named badge holder, or by a person who has dropped off or is collecting the badge holder from the place where the vehicle is parked. It is a criminal offence for anyone else to use a Blue Badge in any other circumstances.

Later the same day, officers spotted a different Blue Badge registered to someone else born in 1938 – although the car displaying the permit was registered to a different person, Berkan Birol.

When confronted, Birol also admitted the badge belonged to his grandmother – and that he, too, had used it if he was running late for exams at Middlesex University.

Barnet Council Leader, Councillor Richard Cornelius, said:

“Using a Blue Badge fraudulently denies someone in genuine need of a parking space and is a criminal offence.

“Anyone caught misusing one of the badges can ultimately find themselves being brought before the courts and ending up with a criminal record.

“I hope these prosecutions send out the very clear message that it is not acceptable for these permits to be used illegally.”

In June, CAFT officers seized six Blue Badges during a spot check operation in the Chipping Barnet and Golders Green areas of London.

Duncan Lewis Motoring Solicitors

Duncan Lewis motoring solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving motoring offences, including careless or dangerous driving, DUI, speeding offences, driving while uninsured or without a licence, vehicle maintenance offences, or Blue Badge fraud.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis solicitor 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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