Fraudsters caught in council's blue badge blitz (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Fraudsters caught in Wandsworth council's blue badge blitz

6:00am Sunday 14th October 2012 in News

A builder, minicab driver and a travel agent were among blue badge fraudsters in court this week.

One driver Neale Kearns was using his disabled wife’s blue badge in Balham, while she languished at their home in North Wales.

Kearns a builder from Rhyl, North Wales, was seen to use his wife’s blue badge on six occasions to park in Oakmead Road, Balham, where he was working on the construction of a hotel.

He was fined £1,815 and ordered to pay costs of £537.

Mohammed Shahid of Lynwood Road, Tooting was caught using a German blue badge meant for his elderly aunt, who was left in her home some 700 miles away.

The blue badge was issued by the German authorities in Gross Gerau near Frankfurt, but Shahid was caught using it to park outside his travel agents business in Garratt Lane, and while also working as a minicab driver.

He was ordered to complete 150 hours community service and to pay costs of £538.

Shopkeeper Anil Shah of Mitcham Lane was seen to use a badge that had been stolen from the car of its rightful owner while she was receiving medical treatment at St George’s Hospital.

He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service and to pay £468 in costs.

Cllr Russell King, the council’s transport spokesman said: “It seems that very little is beyond the pale for these crooked motorists.

“They seem to have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about a leaving a disabled relative cooped up indoors all day just so that they can bag a free parking space.

“There is growing evidence that many disabled people feel bullied and pressured by their relatives into handing over their blue badges.

“This callous attitude to disability demonstrates just how vital it is for all local authorities across the country to tackle this problem.”

Anyone with information about blue badge misuse can contact the council's team of investigators by calling freephone number 0800 085 0866 or emailing parking@wandsworth.gov.uk