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Motorists fined for Blue Badge misuse

Alice Blezard November 29, 2015

Six people have been fined for the misuse of Blue Badges intended for the disabled.

Blue Badge Scheme

The motorists were caught fraudulently using Blue Badges, which led to them being brought before Eastbourne Magistrates last Friday November 20). All of the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges brought by Brighton & Hove City Council prosecutor Len Batten.

The drivers were all convicted of using a Blue Badge when the holder of the Badge was not present, or of displaying a photocopied badge. Several of the drivers had been caught using Badges that had been cancelled after being reported as being missing or stolen. When a Badge is reported as missing and cancelled, a new Badge is then issued and the original Badge cannot be reused.

Owen Richards of Lansdowne Place, Hove; Vimbai Shoko of Montpelier Mansions, Hove; Russell Screen of Knoll Close, Hove; Deborah Laverack of Knolton Was, Slough; William Morrison of Ditchling Road, Brighton; Carolyn Giliam of Elizabeth Avenue, Hove and Beatrix Szabo of Foxhill, Peacehaven all received fines as well as costs, ranging from £310 – £767.

Other drivers were caught displaying photocopies of Blue Badges – the maximum penalty for this offence is £1,000.

Cllr Gill Mitchell
Cllr Gill Mitchell

Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of Brighton & City Council’s Environment, Transport and Sustainability Committee, said:  “These prosecutions send out a clear message that Blue Badge misuse is being addressed in the city. The Blue Badge scheme is intended to make sure that parking spaces are available for people who genuinely need them.

“We will continue to work with Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council to crackdown on misuse of Blue Badges, and ensure that people with disabilities can get to and enjoy everything Brighton & Hove has to offer.”

For more information on using a Blue Badge in Brighton & Hove, click here:

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