Fraudsters caught red handed using disabled parking spots fined

Four cheats were hauled before the courts following a Redbridge Council operation to crackdown on the abuse of blue badge parking permits.

Blue badges provide individuals with disabilities parking concessions and access to disabled spots.

The four fraudsters were ordered to pay fines totalling over £4,000 for misusing the badges when they appeared at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 14.

Naveed Ahmed, of Capworth Street, Leyton, pleaded guilty and was fined a total of £739.75 .

Shazia Khan, of Clarence Gate, Woodford Green, and Santokh Matharu, from Woodford Avenue, Ilford, failed to attend court, and were both found guilty in their absence and fined £1,048.

Peter Davis, of Homerton Road, Hackney, also failed to attend court. He was found guilty and fined £1,270.25.

The leader of the council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “Blue badges exist to help disabled people have easier access to local amenities like GP surgeries, shops and libraries.

“People who choose to misuse the badges to steal parking spaces from those who need them will be caught and prosecuted.

“I am pleased we are being so proactive on blue badge fraud and, in doing so, making our borough more accessible for those with disabilities.”

Figures from the Department of Transport ranked Redbridge in the top 11 for boroughs across the country that successfully prosecuted against blue badge fraud last year.

Cllr Helen Coomb, member for transformation and engagement, said: “I’m really proud of how far we have come since starting our campaign last year, and we are not stopping so let that be a warning to those using blue badges illegally in the borough.

“There is absolutely no excuse for this kind of behaviour - especially when the council has provided street parking bays that offer 60 minutes free parking.

“Anyone using a blue badge fraudulently is taking away a valuable parking space from those in genuine need of it, making it even harder for people with mobility issues to go about their daily business.

“There are robust rules in place to ensure that blue badges are not misused. The permits are issued to people who face real difficulty in getting around and are a vital lifeline.

“Our message is very clear – if you misuse a blue badge, you will be prosecuted.”

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