People who abuse disabled parking blue badges are being warned of confiscation and court action, following the prosecution of two more motorists. An on street enforcement exercise by Oxfordshire County Council’s counter fraud team led to two people appearing at Oxford Magistrates’ Court last week.
On Friday 19 September, Azeem Ansari, 44, of Kennington Road, Oxford, and Lauren Bell, 38, of Poplar Close, Garsington, admitted illegally using blue badges to park in Oxford city centre.
Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, said:
“The blue badge system is there for people who rely on it to help them remain mobile and independent. Those who abuse it deny vital parking spaces to people who really need them the most.
“Valid blue badges enable people to access goods and services and park near workplaces, supermarkets and health facilities. That is why we, as a council, will continue to take enforcement action to stop those misusing this service.”
Mr Ansari used a blue badge to park on 20 January 2025. The council’s fraud team established that Mr Ansari was using a badge that had been cancelled as its owner, Mr Ansari’s grandmother, had died.
In summing up, the district judge said that while he accepted Mr Ansari did not wake up that day intending to defraud, he did make a conscious decision and thought he was going to get away with it but, unfortunately for him, he didn’t.
He was fined £576 plus a victim surcharge of £230.40 and the council was awarded costs of £1,787.50.
Ms Bell admitted illegally using a blue badge to park on 20 January 2025. The council’s fraud team established that the badge she was displaying in her vehicle had been cancelled as it had been reported as lost by its owner.
She was fined £400 plus a victim surcharge of £160 and the council was awarded costs of £500.
A third case was adjourned until November.
The latest cases follow the prosecutions of three men in December and January for similar offences.
Blue badge misuse is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record. A penalty charge notice will normally be issued to anyone misusing a disabled parking bay.
As well as removing blue badges from people who are misusing and abusing the scheme, enforcement is used to raise awareness of the importance of the badges for residents who really need them.
Inappropriate use of limited disabled parking bays can result in blue badge holders missing medical appointments, not being able to get out to buy food, or get to work.
(Pic: Oxfordshire County Council)
