A woman has been fined for misusing a Blue Badge when she parked her Mercedes in a Bedford Borough Council car park.
Nasharie Oluwa, 35, of Ethelred Lane, Great Denham, pleaded guilty in writing at Luton Magistrates’ Court to one offence of misusing a Blue Badge.
The Mercedes A Class had been parked in Greyfriars Car Park on Friday 26 May 2023. Oluwa, who should have £2 paid for parking, was ordered to pay a fine of £217, costs of £675, and a victim surcharge of £87.
An investigation by Bedford Borough Council found that Oluwa had used the Blue Badge, which belongs to her six-year-old daughter, to park in Bedford Town Centre to go shopping whilst her daughter was at school. When initially questioned regarding this matter, Oluwa stated that she was with her daughter in the town centre, but when enquiries were made with the school this was proven not to be true.
Oluwa was invited to attend an interview under caution regarding this matter where she stated that she had used her daughter’s Blue Badge as she had no money to pay for parking. The charge for parking on this occasion was £2, which could be paid via cash, credit/debit card, App, mobile phone or text.
A council spokesperson said: “We take the misuse of Blue Badges extremely seriously. They are vital for helping people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination - misusing a Blue Badge could mean you’re taking the parking space of a disabled person who truly needs it.
“By misusing the Blue Badge on this occasion, to avoid paying for £2 parking, Mrs Oluwa now has a criminal record and has been ordered to pay £979.”
Fraudulent Blue Badge applications and/or use will be investigated by Bedford Borough Council and action taken against those who abuse the system which may lead to fines and a criminal conviction.
To report any concerns regarding the misuse of Blue Badges to Bedford Borough Council, visit https://reportafraud.co.uk/bedfordbc