A MAN who used his dead mother-in-law’s disabled parking badge has been convicted of fraud in Leigh.

Francisco Fernandez has pleaded guilty to false representation concerning the use of a blue badge in Basildon Magistrates Court on Wednesday.  

He was caught parked on double yellow lines in Leigh Road, Leigh, in July 2022, by a plain-clothed counter fraud officer.

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This officer was doing a routine blue badge fraud detection and deterrent exercise when Fernandez explained that his mother-in-law was not with him but at home.

Suspecting fraud, officers kept the blue badge, and decided to investigate further.

Following further investigation, it was later found that Mr Fernandez’s mother-in-law had actually died in October 2021.

In an interview, Mr Fernandez said that he knew using the blue badge was wrong, but he didn’t realise it was a criminal offence.

At court he pleaded guilty and was fined £369. He was also ordered to pay a £148 victim surcharge and £320.10 in costs.

Shaun Dutton, counter fraud, and investigation manager said the council is committed to tackling blue badge fraud.

He said: “Mr Fernandez cooperated with the investigation and expressed remorse for his actions.

“The council is committed to tackling this issue head-on, hence the routine detection and deterrent exercise. Blue badge fraud is a matter of concern to residents and most people, including Mr Fernandez make the mistake of thinking misusing a blue badge is a traffic offence, not a criminal offence.

“Simply put, if the blue badge is not in your name, or the person whose name it is in is not with you, do not use it.”

In the UK, Blue Badge holders can park in “any shared use parking bay for pay and display and residents”. They can also park on “single or double yellow lines for up to three hours”.

If anyone has suspicions concerning similar Blue Badge misuse, or other types of corporate fraud, you can call the counter-fraud and investigation team on 01702 215254 or email counterfraud@southend.gov.uk