Four drivers and two vehicle owners have been prosecuted and ordered to pay fines totalling £2,488 for offences involving the display of cancelled Blue Badges.
Two of the drivers displayed badges after the badge holders had passed away.
Two other vehicle owners were prosecuted under section 17 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972 for failing to provide information relating to the identification of a driver after a suspected Blue Badge misuse incident. Both cases involved the display of stolen Blue Badges.
In all cases, the badges were used to take advantage of parking concessions the drivers were not entitled to. The Blue Badge scheme concessions are available only to people with conditions that affect their mobility. A badge should only be displayed for the benefit of a disabled person to help them to park closer to their destination.
Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said, “We will continue with our enforcement measures to ensure that those with disabilities can park within a manageable distance of where they need to go. Anyone who makes a habit of displaying a Blue Badge they are not entitled to use should know that our officers are actively checking to ensure that badges are being used in accordance with the rules. The validity of a Blue Badge can be confirmed in an instant and we will not hesitate to pursue a prosecution in all cases of proven misuse. Quite simply, don’t do it, it’s not worth the risk.”
Ms Mary Adigun of Haddo Street, Greenwich, displayed a Blue Badge that was cancelled when it was reported as lost and Mr George Kamurasi of Pascoe Road, Lewisham, also displayed a cancelled Blue Badge.
Miss Lucy Brown of Harlow Road, Rainham and Mr James Pearce of Wrotham Road, Meopham, both displayed Blue Badges after the badge holders had passed away.
Two vehicle owners; Ms Keisha Bhola of Cherry Laurel Walk, Brixton and Mr Yonier Pena of Chrisp Street, Tower Hamlets, were found guilty of failing to provide information relating to the identification of the person driving their vehicle when a suspected misuse incident occurred. Stolen Blue Badges were displayed in both cases.
All the Blue Badges associated with these offences were issued by other local authorities and all of the cases involved residents living outside of the Bromley borough.
During the last year, 20 drivers and 15 vehicle owners have been prosecuted for similar Blue Badge misuse related offences in Bromley. Full details about the Blue Badge scheme rules and avoiding misuse.
Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence which can lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge. Anyone who suspects that a Blue Badge is being used for the benefit of a person who is not the badge holder can report their concerns at: www.bromley.gov.uk/reportbluebadge
ENDS
Editor’s notes
- Ms Mary Adigun of Haddo Street, Greenwich, pleaded guilty by post ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 14/09/21. She was fined £107 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £34 - total £491.
- Mr George Kamurasi of Pascoe Road, Lewisham, pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 14/09/21. He was fined £96 and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a surcharge of £34 - total £230.
- Miss Lucy Brown of Harlow Road, Rainham, pleaded guilty at her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 21/09/21. She was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs of £150 and a surcharge of £34 - total £224.
- Mr James Pearce of Wrotham Road, Meopham, pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 12/10/21. He was fined £293 and ordered to pay costs of £150 and a surcharge of £34 - total £477.
- Ms Keisha Bhola of Cherry Laurel Walk, Brixton, was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 12/10/21. She was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £279 and a surcharge of £34 - total £533.
- Mr Yonier Pena of Chrisp Street, Tower Hamlets, was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 12/10/21. He was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £279 and a surcharge of £34 - total £533.
For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.