Blue Badge scheme abuse leads to prosecution for 38 motorists

The offenders were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £27,333. Nineteen of the cases involved drivers who displayed cancelled Blue Badges; three of these had been deleted from the national database, two had been lost, eight had been stolen, one had expired with the date altered, and five had been displayed after the holders had passed away.

The remaining nineteen cases involved vehicle owners who 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. One of these cases involved the display of a Blue Badge that had been deleted from the national database, five involved badges that had been cancelled as lost, eleven cases involved the display of stolen badges and two of the cases involved badges that had been displayed after the holders had passed away.

In all thirty-eight cases, the badges were displayed so that the drivers could take advantage of parking concessions they were not entitled to. Only individuals who have a physical or non-physical disability affecting their mobility are entitled to use the benefits associated with the Blue Badge scheme to help them park within a manageable distance of their destination.

A council spokesperson said, “We would prefer not to prosecute anyone but are determined to protect the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme for those who genuinely need it. We are routinely checking Blue Badges on display in the borough and the high numbers of prosecutions show that this system is highly effective in spotting misuse, with prosecution then following. Whilst the numbers being prosecuted are high, it must be remembered that only a small minority of Blue Badges are being misused and for those who continue abusing the scheme, prosecution will surely be the outcome.”

More than 130 prosecutions have taken place for similar Blue Badge abuse offences in Bromley during the last year. Full details about the Blue Badge scheme rules and avoiding misuse are published on the council’s website.

A Blue Badge must be returned to the issuing authority shown on the front of the badge in any of the following circumstances; the badge has expired, the holder’s medical condition/mobility improves and they are no longer eligible, a replacement has been issued for a lost or stolen badge and the original is found, the badge is damaged or illegible, the holder no longer needs the badge because they are confined to the house, or the holder has passed away.

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.

The council will always look to use its full range of enforcement powers where they exist to help protect and support residents and the borough, with the most recent prosecutions published on the website www.bromley.gov.uk/Prosecutions.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

1. Dean Nkyi of Woodyates Road, Lewisham, displayed a cancelled/deleted Blue Badge when he parked in North Street, Bromley, on 14/05/23. He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court on 19/07/24, fined £669, with costs of £238 and a surcharge of £1,816 - total £2,723.
2. Lulian Afloari of Gresham Drive, Romford, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) in Elmfield Road, Bromley, on 11/04/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. He pleaded guilty ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and fined £146, with costs of £146 and a surcharge of £58 - total £350.
3. Serwan Ahmadi of Caesar Road, Beckenham, displayed a cancelled/deleted Blue Badge when he parked in The Spa car park, Beckenham, on 11/12/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and fined £153 with costs £153 and a surcharge of £61 - total £367.
4. James Chivers of Gipsy Road, London, displayed a cancelled/lost Blue Badge when he parked in Fairfield Road, Beckenham, on 07/12/23. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and fined £220 with costs of £220 and a surcharge of £88 - total £528.
5. Ahmed Ahmed of Kimbolton Close, Lewisham, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in Downs Road, Beckenham, on 08/12/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and was fined £146 with costs of £146 and a surcharge of £58 - total £350.
6. Chariffe Greaves of Exhibition Way, Wembley, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in High Street, Beckenham, on 29/05/23. Following the reopening of his case, he pleaded guilty by post ahead of a case management hearing on 18/06/24 and was fined £250 with costs of £423 and a surcharge £100 - total £773.
7. Stefon Hayles of Redan Terrace, Brixton, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in St Georges Road, Beckenham, on 28/12/23. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and fined £220 with costs of £220 and a surcharge of £88 - total £528.
8. Josephine Hall of Beaverbank Road, Greenwich, displayed a Blue Badge had been cancelled following the death of the holder when she parked in Churchill Way, Bromley, on 07/12.23. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/06/24 and fined £220 with costs of £220 and a surcharge of £88 - total £528.
9. Kaine Williams of Sanderstead Road, South Croydon, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in Church Road, Bromley, on 11/12/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/06/24 and was fined £192 with costs of £300 and a surcharge of £77 - total £569.
10. Haeley Archer of Border Gardens, Croydon, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Croydon Road, Beckenham, on 11/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as lost. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/06/24 and fined £660 with costs of £423 and a surcharge £276 - total £1,359.
11. Pawel Lech of Lower Gravel Road, Bromley, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Cromwell Avenue, Bromley, on 21/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 01/07/24 and fined £75 with costs of £250 and a surcharge of £30 - total £355.
12. Michael Odibo of Shardeloes Road, New Cross, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Court Street, Bromley, on 21/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as lost. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 01/07/24 and fined £75 with costs of £250 and a surcharge of £30 - total £355.
13. Steve Springall of Haddonfield, Southwark, displayed a Blue Badge that had been cancelled following the death of the holder when he parked in Orpington High Street on 17/12/23. BB displayed after holder deceased. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 01/07/24 and was fined £50 with costs of £250 and a surcharge of £20 - total £320.
14. Eli Bells of Bromley Road, Catford, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Beckenham High Street on 06/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and fined £120 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £48 - total £368.
15. Timothee Kayembe of Dacca Street, Lewisham, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Beckenham High Street on 06/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and was fined £153 with costs of £200 and a surcharge £61 - total £414.
16. Daniel Domenico of Knowle Road, Bromley, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Great Elms Road, Bromley, on 18/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and was fined £80 with costs of £200 and a surcharge £32 - total £312.
17. Tomasz Pogoda of Anerley Road, Penge, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge on two separate occasions: in East Street, Bromley, on 21/12/23 and in Bromley High Street on 09/01/24. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and fined £240 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £96 - total £536.
18. Luke Smith of Gravesend Road, Sevenoaks, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in Beckenham High Street on 31/12/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and was fined £80 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £32 - total £312.
19. Valentina Vladiou of Northover, Bromley, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Mitre Close car park, Bromley, on 23/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as lost. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and fined £120 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £48 - total £368.
20. Darren Wallace of School Lane, Lewisham, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Beckenham High Street on 18/12/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled following the death of the holder. Mr Wallace was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 08/07/24 and fined £120 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £48 - total £368.
21. Alton Albert of Rainville Road, Hammersmith, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in the Spa car park, Beckenham, on 01/07/23. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as lost. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 15/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £176 - total £1,039.
22. Lauren Bailey of Elms Crescent, Lambeth, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Shaftesbury Road, Beckenham, on 25/04/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 15/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £17 - total £1,039.
23. Muhammad Kewal of Addiscombe Road, Croydon, displayed a Blue Badge that had been cancelled following the death of the holder when he parked in Ringers Road, Bromley, on 20/12/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court on 16/07/24 and was fined £461 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £184 - total £1,068.
24. Jacob Hibbert of Rosendale Road, Lambeth, displayed a cancelled/deleted Blue Badge when he parked in Beckenham High Street, on 17/01/24. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/07/24 and fined £220 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £88 - total £731.
25. Tarifah Williams of Hexal Road, Lewisham, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in The Spa car park, Beckenham, on 23/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £176 - total £1,039.
26. Lorna Simpson of Morris Road, Bristol, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Barnmead Road, Beckenham, on 25/04/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £176 - total £1,039.
27. Sally Liedberg of Place Farm Avenue, Orpington, displayed a Blue Badge that had been cancelled following the death of the holder on two separate occasions: in Rochester Avenue, Bromley, on 07/02/24, and in Homefield Rise car park, Orpington, on 11/02/24. She pleaded guilty by post to the two charges ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates court on 24/07/24 and was fined £368 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £148 - total £939.
28. Andrew Mulholland of Palace Road, Bromley, displayed a Blue Badge that had been cancelled following the death of the holder when he parked in Palace Road, Bromley, on 03/01/24. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates court on 24/07/24 and was fined £80 with costs of £200 and a surcharge of £32 - total £312.
29. Hafiz Masood of Mackintosh Street, Bromley, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in Ravensbourne Road, Bromley, on 27/11/23. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates court on 24/07/24 and was fined £169 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £68 - total £660.
30. Penny Wiles of Sunnyside, Blythe Hill, Lewisham, displayed a cancelled/lost Blue Badge when she parked in Durban Road, Beckenham, on 26/01/24. She pleaded guilty by post ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/07/24 and was fined £293 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £117 - total £833.
31. Leighvi Straker of Grafton Road, Croydon, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Ringers Road, Bromley, on 26/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She was proved guilty in her absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 24/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £176 - total £1,039.
32. Fatma Omar of Longcroft, Eltham, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of her vehicle following an incident in Widmore Road, Bromley, on 14/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. She pleaded guilty by post ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/07/24 and was fined £293 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £117 - total £833.
33. Metro Care Home Ltd of Brixton Road, Lambeth, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of its vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Widmore Road, Bromley, on 14/01/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as stolen. A guilty plea was submitted by post ahead of a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/07/24 and the company was fined £660 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £264 - total £1,347.
34. Olufisayo Ogundimu of Coniston Road, Croydon, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Edison Road, Bromley, on 25/05/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled following the death of the holder. Mr Ogundimu was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge £176 - total £1,039.
35. Alan Jones of Orchard Avenue, Croydon, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in St Georges Road, Beckenham, on 24/05/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled/deleted. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/07/24 and fined £440 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £176 - total £1,039.
36. Trevor Bayley of Sidcup Hill, Sidcup, displayed an expired Blue Badge with the date altered when he parked in Edison Road, Bromley, on 20/03/24. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 06/08/24 and was fined £40 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £16 - total £479.
37. Aidan Morris-Pinder of Woolstone Road, Lewisham, displayed a cancelled/stolen Blue Badge when he parked in Ethelbert Road, Bromley, on 17/01/24. He pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 06/08/24 and was fined £96 with costs of £210 and a surcharge of £38 - total £344.
38. Rizwan Hussain of Church Street, Huddersfield, failed to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of his vehicle following the issue of a PCN in Edison Road, Bromley, on 07/02/24. The Blue Badge displayed had been cancelled as lost. He was proved guilty in his absence at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 06/08/24 and was fined £220 with costs of £423 and a surcharge of £88 – total £731.