Three people suspected of illegally using a disabled persons blue badge for their personal convenience were taken to court by Islington Council on Monday 18 September. Each pleaded guilty and was fined.
Jim Duggan, aged 45, from Wharf Road, Islington was seen displaying a fake blue badge which appeared to have been issued by Hackney council. However, it was discovered that Mr Duggan was not disabled and had never been issued with a badge by Hackney. He pleaded guilty and was fined £510.
James Noel, aged 33, of Penton Street, Islington was seen displaying a blue badge which appeared to have been issued in Kensington and Chelsea. But Mr Noel was not disabled and has not been issued with a blue badge - his badge was a fake. In court he pleaded guilty and was fined £810.
Tony Akindoyin, aged 28, of Milton Grove, Hackney, who works at the Virgin Gym in Angel, had been seen displaying a stolen Islington blue badge. Mr Akindoyin failed to attend court but pleaded guilty by post and was fined £810 including costs.
Cllr Lucy Watt, Executive Member for the Environment said: "The blue badge scheme is designed to help people in genuine need. Fraudulent use of the badges takes up parking spaces needed by those who are genuinely disabled - and it is also illegal. We have significantly stepped up our efforts to catch and prosecute people who abuse the blue badge system.
I hope that these recent prosecutions send out a strong message to anyone illegally using a blue badge that the council will not tolerate it. The message is simple: if you try to abuse a blue badge, we'll see you in court."
Previously the council has won 26 fraud cases with magistrates issuing fines of up to £2500. In addition the council has confiscated over 200 fraudulent blue badges from vehicles across Islington since the beginning of the year.
Anyone found guilty of misuse of a blue badge could face a fine of up to £1,000 for each offence, lose their driving licence, or receive community service or even a custodial sentence.
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Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008