Crackdown on blue badge abuse continues with another conviction
A 23 year old man has been fined after being convicted of abusing the rules around blue badges.
At Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 24 January, Ahmad Horik, 23, of Blenheim Court, Kidlington, admitted illegally using a blue badge to park in Oxford city centre on 21 May 2024.
When officers from Oxfordshire County Council Council’s counter fraud team checked the badge, they established it was not valid as it had been reported lost and a replacement issued.
When interviewed under caution by council officers, Mr Horik said the badge belonged to a family member and he had no knowledge why it had been reported lost and replaced.
As the badge holder was not present when he parked, there was no entitlement to any blue badge concession.
Mr Horik was fined £209, ordered to pay a court charge of £84 and pay the council’s costs of £500.
The case follows the prosecution of two men for similar offences in December 2024 as part of the same on-street enforcement exercise.
Blue badge misuse is a criminal offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000 and a criminal record. A penalty charge notice will normally be issued to anyone misusing a disabled parking bay.
Councillor Neil Fawcett, Cabinet Member for Community and Corporate Services, said: “People rely on their blue badges so that they can park near workplaces, supermarkets, and health facilities. Illegal use of the scheme denies a space to someone who really needs it.
“It is not acceptable to misuse this service and the recent enforcement operation shows that this council is taking action to stop this abuse.”
As well as removing blue badges from people who are misusing and abusing the scheme, enforcement is used to raise awareness of the importance of the badges for residents who really need them.
Many people rely on their blue badge to remain mobile and independent, enabling them to access goods and services.
Inappropriate use of disabled parking bays can result in blue badge holders missing medical appointments, not being able to get out to buy food, or get to work.
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