Eight caught illegally using Blue Badge parking permits

A resident was caught using a Blue Badge parking permit that had been stolen from a disabled man.

Rocky Howard, of Crockham Way, Eltham, was prosecuted after he was caught displaying a cancelled Blue Badge in his van.

The badge had previously been reported as stolen by the holder.

Mr Howard was given the opportunity to attend an interview under caution to give his side of the story, but failed to attend.

The case was proven in his absence in court and he was fined £220, plus costs of £250 and a £30 victim surcharge.

Blue Badge parking permits let disabled drivers and passengers park nearer to where they’re going.

Mr Howard’s is one of eight residents who have been prosecuted by Bexley council for misusing Blue Badges in the last six months.

They were ordered to pay a total of £4,133, including court costs and surcharges for their offences.

Mark King, of Leechcroft Avenue, Sidcup, displayed a cancelled badge when he parked near a school in Welling.

At the time of the offence, Mr King said he was waiting for the badge holder to return, but a council investigation found the holder passed away in 2016.

Mr King was fined £440 and ordered to pay costs of £400 and a £44 victim surcharge.

Jane Bostridge, of South Gypsy Road, Welling, was caught displaying a Blue Badge she was not entitled to use while parked on a double yellow line near a school in Bexleyheath.

Mrs Bostridge failed to attend court and the case was proven in her absence. She was fined £220 and ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £30 victim surcharge.

Four other drivers were also prosecuted for displaying a Blue Badge belonging to a relative while the holder was not present.

These were Manchi Chan, of Kelvin Road, Welling, Cilla Thompson, of King’s Avenue, Brixton, Chris Orchard, of Clive Road, Belvedere, and Doreen Bresnahan, of Tickord Close, Abbey Wood.

Bexley’s cabinet member for places, Councillor Peter Craske, said: “These drivers could have avoided prosecution, a fine and a criminal conviction if they had parked legally.

Instead, they chose to abuse a scheme designed to help those in our community who desperately need their badge to carry out routine daily tasks.

To some, their Blue Badge is their lifeline.”