Hastings motorist used dead mum's details on fake blue badge

A motorist from Hastings has been fined for displaying a fake blue badge bearing her dead mother's name while on a shopping trip.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Sep 2016, 12:47 BST
Updated 7th Jun 2018, 23:35 BST

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East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and NSL carried out a day of checks on Blue BadgesEast Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and NSL carried out a day of checks on Blue Badges
East Sussex County Council, Sussex Police and NSL carried out a day of checks on Blue Badges

Geraldine Roberts, of Ironlatch Avenue, was caught out by an eagle-eyed police officer while parked in a disabled bay at the Tesco Extra store in Church Wood Drive, St Leonards, in June.

In her car was displayed a photocopy of a blue badge which she had doctored to insert a new expiry date, a fake stamp from ‘Hounslow Council’ and the name of her late mother – who died two-and-a-half years ago.

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After enquiries by East Sussex County Council revealed the badge was a fake, the 66-year-old admitted the offence and was convicted of misuse of a blue badge at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court.

In a hearing last Friday (September 16), Roberts was fined £320 and ordered to pay £175 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £32.

Councillor Carl Maynard, county council lead member for transport and environment, said: “This was a deliberate, shameless and not particularly sophisticated attempt to cheat the system.

“Every time someone fraudulently uses a blue badge, they are taking up spaces which are needed by people who are genuinely disabled.

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“We estimate this kind of fraud can also cost the taxpayer up to £5,000 in lost parking revenues and the cost of installing more disabled parking bays.

“Hopefully this prosecution will send out a clear warning to anyone tempted to carry out a similar offence that it will not be tolerated and we won’t hesitate to prosecute offenders.”

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Related topics:HastingsSt LeonardsEast Sussex County Council