Nine people prosecuted in council crackdown on Blue Badge fraud

Islington Council has prosecuted nine people for illegally using disabled Blue Badges, as part of its ongoing crackdown on abuse of the permits.

Fines, court costs and victim surcharges totalling more than £6,000 were given to nine drivers using stolen or falsified badges to park on streets around the borough.

Blue Badges are given to disabled people to park close to their destination, allowing them to live independently and go about their daily lives more easily. Using a Blue Badge fraudulently is a crime that can carry a fine of up to £1,000. It is a serious problem across London and Islington has been proactively using a variety of measures to check the validity of Blue Badges. 

Seven drivers were convicted of using stolen Badges, another for using an expired Badge and one for using a Badge belonging to a deceased person. Drivers were ordered to pay a fine of up to £666 with costs up to £356 and a victim surcharge of up to £85.

Cllr Claudia Webbe, Islington Council’s executive member for environment & transport, said: “Islington will not tolerate the wilful and fraudulent abuse of disabled Blue Badges. Our actions sends a clear message to those attempting to abuse a system that is in place to help those who need to access on-street parking.

“Blue Badge fraud is unacceptable - using a stolen Badge or that of somebody who is deceased is entirely selfish and reduces the spaces available for genuine Badge holders. We will continue to do everything in our power to ensure that disabled bays are being used by those who need them most.

“The council receives a high number of complaints and I am pleased to say that we are undertaking more work to verify the use of Blue Badges that will ultimately result in more convictions like this.”

For more information on the Blue Badge scheme in Islington, click here. https://www.islington.gov.uk/parking/where-to-park/parking-for-disabled-people

To report suspected Blue Badge fraud, call us on 020 7527 2000 or email parkingfraud@islington.gov.uk

Notes to editors

Full details of convictions (hearing date was 13th December at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court):

  1. Ibrahim Guney, 39, of London N15; pleaded guilty to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Haringey Council, to park in Mayton Street N7 on 28 September 2018. The badge had been cancelled on July 2016. Fine £235, costs £306, victim surcharge £30.
  2. Craig Lewis, 30, of London, E8; found guilty in absence of wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Hackney Council, reported lost and cancelled in November 2017, to park on Rotherfield Street, N1, on 14 June 2018. Fine £440, costs £306, victim surcharge £44.
  3. Adil Kolcak, 52, of London, N11; entered a guilty plea by post to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Hackney Council, reported stolen and cancelled in May 2018, to park on Ferntower Road N5, on 5 July 2018.  Fine £666, costs £356, victim surcharge £66.
  4. Latoya Maynard, 31, of London, N1; entered a guilty plea to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Camden Council, reported stolen and cancelled in January 2018, to park on Havelock Street N1 on 18 July 2018. Fine £100, costs £356, victim surcharge £30.
  5. Raheem Sewell, 24, of London, N17; pleaded guilty to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Haringey Council, reported stolen and cancelled in February 2018, to park on Red House Square, N1 on 24 July 2018. Fine £185, costs £306, victim surcharge £85.
  6. Steven Singh, 39, of London, E9; found guilty in absence of wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Islington Council, reported stolen and cancelled in October 2017, to park on Ambler Road, N4 on 25 June 2018. Fine £660, costs £300, victim surcharge £66.  Fine £660, costs £300, victim surcharge £66.
  7. Jackie West, 47, of London, N1; found guilty in absence of wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Medway Council, reported stolen and cancelled in October 2017, to park on Halliford Street, N1 on 11 May 2018. Fine £440, costs £200 and victim surcharge £44.
  8. Anita Grech, 44, of London, N1; pleaded guilty by post to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Islington Council, to park on Elmore Street, N1 on 10 July 2018. The badge had been cancelled in May 2017 as the badge holder had passed away. Fine £200, costs £185, victim surcharge £30.
  9. Charlotte Brady, 33, of London, N7; entered a guilty plea by post to wrongful use of a disabled person’s badge issued by Haringey Council, reported stolen and cancelled in January 2018, to park on Annette Road, Islington, N7 on 3 October 2018.  Fine £200, costs £200, victim surcharge £30.

Contact information

If you are a member of the public with a general question about the council please view the contact information on our website or call 020 7527 2000.