Royal Greenwich Cracks Down On Blue Badge Fraud

by our RBG Correspondent In Lagos

On 31st October 2016 at Bexley Magistrates’ Court, Kelly Saunders of Sidcup, Vernessa Adjodha of Hackney and Hayley Jenkins of Thamesmead all pleaded guilty to misusing Blue Badges at locations around the borough.

The Blue Badge scheme, run by the Council, helps you park closer to your destination if you’re disabled. Disabled drivers or passengers displaying a Blue Badge in their vehicle can use marked disabled parking places.

Kelly Saunders used her deceased uncle’s disabled Blue Badge to park near New Eltham Station whilst commuting to work in the city. Southwark Council had issued the Blue Badge to her uncle, Mr Daniel Forsyth. However, he passed away on 16 March and just two days later, Ms Saunders was challenged for using the same Blue Badge after she parked her vehicle in Bercta Road, New Eltham. 

Ms Saunders pleaded guilty to two offences under section 117 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The Magistrates’ Court gave her credit for guilty pleas and imposed a £190 fine, a Victim Surcharge of £20 and prosecution costs of £614.

Vernessa Adjodha misused her grandmother’s Blue Badge to park whilst attending college in Greenwich. On the 8 April when Ms Adjodha was challenged, she claimed to have dropped her grandmother off at her mother’s address in Woolwich and was picking her up after college.

Ms Adjodha, pleaded guilty in court to one offence under section 117 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Magistrates also gave her credit for her guilty plea and imposed a £60 fine, a Victim Surcharge of £20 and prosecution costs of £545.32.

Hayley Jenkins, of Thamesmead, misused her deceased grandmother’s Blue Badge to park in Woolwich Town Centre. She attended an interview under caution on 14 June 2016, where she stated that she had kept her grandmother’s badge for sentimental issues and had only used the badge on the occasion that she was spotted by Royal Borough investigators.

Ms Jenkins pleaded guilty in court to an offence under section 117 (1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. Magistrates gave her credit for guilty pleas and imposed a £40 fine, a Victim Surcharge of £30 and prosecution costs of £520.24.

Cabinet Member for Customer Services & Anti-Fraud, Councillor Maureen O’Mara said: “As part of our on-going commitment to prevent and detect fraud, the Royal Borough is now taking more rigorous action with Blue Badge misuse. This is good news for all genuine Blue Badge holders who so often are inconvenienced by other car drivers who take up valuable parking spaces whilst misusing Blue Badges they have no right to use.” 

If you suspect someone of committing Blue Badge fraud in Royal Borough of Greenwich please call 0800 169 6975 or email: Blue-Badge-Fraud@royalgreenwich.gov.uk.

Any information you give will be treated in confidence.