Greenwich Council has successfully prosecuted five cases of Blue Badge misuse over the past year as part of its ongoing efforts to combat parking fraud.
One notable case involved Eltham resident Ahmet Colak, who pleaded guilty to using a counterfeit Blue Badge at Bexley Magistrates Court on Wednesday, May 8. Mr Colak admitted to displaying a photocopy of his disabled son’s badge on Eltham High Street and failing to respond to council requests for information. As a result, he received a Community Order requiring 40 hours of unpaid work and was ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
In another case, bus driver Emmanuel George, of Bellegrove Road, Welling, admitted to misusing a Blue Badge on Monday, May 13. Mr George was found alone in his vehicle, parked in a designated disabled bay at Calderwood Street Car Park in Woolwich, using a badge that belonged to a woman. He was fined £216, with additional costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £86.
Connal Toner, of West Lawn, Chelmsford, Essex, faced prosecution on Wednesday, June 19, for failing to respond to a statutory notice from the Council. Mr Toner’s vehicle was found displaying a stolen Blue Badge in a permit holder’s bay on Banning Street, Greenwich. He was fined £80, with a victim surcharge of £32 and £120 in costs.
Alicia Allen, of Hatfield House in Greenwich, admitted to failing to respond to a statutory notice from the Council. Her vehicle was found displaying a cancelled Blue Badge in a pay and display bay on Greenwich High Road on October 7, 2023. Ms Allen was fined £253, with a victim surcharge of £101 and costs of £200.
Miss Tanara Peters, of Keightley Drive, Eltham, admitted to displaying a stolen Blue Badge to avoid parking fees near her workplace after claiming to find it in a car park. Miss Peters was fined £80, with a victim surcharge of £32 and costs of £250.
Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value, commented on the crackdown: “The misuse of Blue Badges is a serious offence that undermines the integrity of the scheme, which is designed to assist those with genuine disabilities. Misuse takes away essential parking privileges from those in need. That’s why we’re committed to protecting disabled residents‘ rights by enforcing Blue Badge rules, including legal action against those who break those rules.
“We urge all residents to respect the scheme and report suspected fraud. Together, we can ensure fair and accessible community support for everyone.”
If you suspect someone of committing fraud against the Royal Borough of Greenwich, call 0800 169 6975 or email [email protected].
