Thirteen motorists prosecuted for using cancelled Blue Badges

The offenders were issued with fines and costs totalling £6,784.

Ten of the cases involved drivers who displayed Blue Badges that had previously been cancelled, six of these had been reported as stolen, three were reported lost and one was cancelled after the badge holder had passed away.

Three vehicle owners were prosecuted under section 17 of the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1972 for failing to provide information relating to the idnetification of a driver after a suspected Blue Badge misuse incident.  All three cases involved the display of stolen Blue Badges.

In all thirteen cases, the drivers displayed the cancelled badges so that they could take advantage of parking concessions that they were not entitled to. 

Councillor Angela Page, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement, said: “These latest prosecutions, to protect the integrity of the Blue Badge scheme, demonstrate that the measures we take to protect the scheme are extremely effective in bringing offenders to justice.”

Councillor Page continued, “These latest offences result from the circulation and use of cancelled Blue Badges.  I would strongly urge anyone who is in possession of such a badge to return it to the issuing authority without delay.  Don’t be tempted to use the badge under any circumstances, because if you’re caught, the consequences are most often very serious ending in conviction, a fine and a criminal record.” 

As set out in the Blue Badge scheme’s eligibility criteria, only individuals who have a physical or non-physical disability affecting their mobility are eligible for a Blue Badge and can benefit from the parking concessions available under the scheme.  The rules clearly state that a Blue Badge should only be displayed for the benefit of the holder to help them park within a manageable distance of their destination.

Mr Louis Arlequin of Railton Road, Lambeth, Ms Rebecca Bryan of Harrow Crescent, Romford, Mr Mustafa Cetin of Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, Mr Joseph Gallone of  Woodside Lane, Bexley, Mr Samuel Verma of Norman Road, Thornton Heath, and Mr Peter Jays of Woolstone Road, Forest Hill, all displayed stolen Blue Badges.

Mrs Shazia Gohar of The Glade, Shirley, Mr Sebastian Rosca of Abbey Road, Camden, and an unnamed driver from Abbey Wood, displayed badges that had been cancelled when reported as lost. 

Mr Derek Cook of Cranmore Road, Chislehurst, displayed a badge that was cancelled after the holder had passed away.

Three vehicle owners; Miss Charday Charles of Garratt Lane, Tooting, Mr Paradise Irosogie of Stainton Road, Catford, and Mr Jaydam Robinson of Sussex Road, South Croydon, were all found guilty of failing to provide information relating to the identification of the person driving their vehicle when a suspected misuse incident occurred.  All three of these cases involved the display of stolen Blue Badges.

The Blue Badges associated with all thirteen incidents were issued by local authorities outside of Bromley and only one case involved a Bromley resident. More than 70 prosecutions have taken place for similar Blue Badge misuse related offences in Bromley over the last year.  Full details about the Blue Badge scheme rules and avoiding misuse are available on our website. 

A Blue Badge must be returned to the issuing authority shown on the front of the badge in any of the following circumstances; the badge has expired, the holder’s medical condition/mobility improves and they are no longer eligible, a replacement has been issued for a lost or stolen badge and the original is found, the badge is damaged or illegible, the holder no longer needs the badge because they are confined to the house, or the holder has passed away.

Blue Badge misuse is a criminal offence which can lead to a £1,000 fine and confiscation of the badge.  Anyone who suspects that a blue badge is being used for the benefit of a person who is not the badge holder can report their concerns at: www.bromley.gov.uk/reportbluebadge.

Ends

Editor’s notes:

1. Mr Louis Arlequin of Railton Road, Lambeth, was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/10/22.  He was fined £440 and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a surcharge of £44 - total £684.
2. Ms Rebecca Bryan of Harrow Crescent, Romford, pleaded guilty by post ahead of her hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/10/22.  She was fined £80 and ordered to costs of £50 and a surcharge of £34 - total £164.
3. Mr Mustafa Cetin of Lewisham High Street, Lewisham, was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 17/10/22.  He was fined £440 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £44 - total £834.
4. Miss Charday Charles of Garratt Lane, Tooting, was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 25/10//22.    She was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a surcharge of £120- total £720.
5. Mr Paradise Irosogie of Stainton Road, Catford, was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 25/10/22.  He was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a surcharge of £120 - total £720.
6. An unnamed driver from Abbey Wood was proved guilty at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 25/10/22.  The driver was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £300 and a surcharge of £120 - total £720.
7. Mr Jaydam Robinson of Sussex Road, South Croydon, pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  He was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £16 - total £406.
8. Mr Derek Cook of Cranmore Road, Chislehurst, pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  He was fined £40 and ordered costs of £50 and a surcharge of £34 - total £124.
9. Mr Joseph Gallone of Woodside Lane, Bexley, pleaded guilty by post ahead of his hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  He was fined £146 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £34 - total £530.
10. Mrs Shazia Gohar of The Glade, Shirley, pleaded guilty by post ahead of her hearing a Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  She was fined £40 and ordered to pay costs of £100 and a surcharge of £16 - total £156.
11. Mr Sebastian Rosca of Abbey Road, London, Camden, was proved guilty at a hearing at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  He was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £88 - total £658.
12. Mr Samuel Verma of Norman Road, Thornton Heath, was proved guilty at a hearing at a hearing at Bexley Magistrates Court on 31/10/22.  He was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £34 - total £604.
13. Mr Peter Jays of Woolstone Road, Forest Hill, pleaded guilty at a hearing at Bromley Magistrates Court on 15/11/22.  He was fined £80 and ordered to pay costs of £350 and a surcharge of £34 – total £464.

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 8461 7670 or email Andrew.Rogers@bromley.gov.uk.