Motorists are being warned not to misuse Blue Badges following the prosecution of a father who used his disabled son’s badge when he was not present.

On 11 February 2014, Mr Sidney Oliveria of Strathearn Road, Sutton was convicted of two offences under the Fraud Act at Croydon Crown Court.

Mr Oliveria pleaded guilty to making false representations by using his son’s Blue Badge on two occasions in April and May 2013 when he parked his vehicle with the badge displayed even though he did not have his son with him.

Mr Oliveria was given a 12 month conditional discharge.

The Blue Badge scheme is an initiative to help disabled people to park close to their destination, either as a passenger or driver. It is a criminal offence to misuse the badge, and doing so can lead to prosecution.

The badge is for the sole use of the person named on it. It must only be displayed if the badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting them or dropping them off. The badge may not be used by other people to do something on the badge holder’s behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for them, unless the badge holder is travelling with them.

Councillor Jill Whitehead, Chair of Sutton Council’s Environment and Neighbourhood Committee, said:

“People who misuse the Blue Badge scheme are cheating the vast majority of road users who play fair when they park their cars.

“The Council’s parking team is clamping down on this fraud which is both a crime and discredits an important scheme set up to help some of our most vulnerable residents.

“We encourage anyone witnessing Blue Badge fraud to please report the incident in complete confidence to the council.”

Report Blue Badge fraud to Sutton Council on 020 8770 5000.