Blue badge abuser in court

14 Feb 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

A woman who used her late father’s blue badge to park illegally in an Ashington street has been taken to court.
 
In July 2018, the motorist displayed an expired blue badge on her car while illegally parked in John Street car park. On returning to her car, the woman confirmed the badge belonged to her father and he was not present, the badge was then seized from her by a County Council Enforcement Officer.

A full investigation was then undertaken by Northumberland County Council’s Corporate Fraud Team.

The team found while the badge did belong to her father he had passed away some eight months earlier in November 2017.
 
The woman pleaded guilty by post to an offence of misuse of a blue badge. The Court imposed a fine of £80, costs of £100 and a victim surcharge of £30. 
 
Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Corporate Resources, said: “Our Corporate Fraud Team is a specialist investigative unit which investigate the whole range of fraud and irregularities.
 
“There is no such thing as a victimless crime and this resident was abusing a system designed for people with disabilities.
 
“We are committed to a zero tolerance of all levels of fraud, corruption, bribery or money laundering and will continue to take action against those who flout the law.”
 
If people suspect someone of committing fraud they should make an immediate note of their concerns and report them via:
 
Online Referral Form – online reporting_fraud
Fraud Hotline - 01670 624359
Email – fraudline@northumberland.gov.uk