A Leigh resident has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 for unlawfully using a disabled person's blue badge while visiting the gym.

Pravinatha Shetty, 40, of Eastwood Road, Leigh, has pleaded guilty by post to the unlawful use of a disabled person’s blue badge.

He has been fined £400 and ordered to pay costs of £1,477.50, along with a victim surcharge of £160.

The incident happened on April 10, when an officer from the council’s counter fraud and investigation team observed a Range Rover parked on double yellow lines, displaying a blue badge.

Mr Shetty was approached by the officer upon returning to the vehicle from a nearby gym and was asked to inspect the badge.

Initially, he gave his brother’s name and said the badge holder was in hospital.

However, the officer retained the badge, suspecting it was being used unlawfully.

Mr Shetty then admitted it was his wife’s badge.

During an interview, Mr Shetty claimed his wife had been with him at the time of the incident and was in a nearby property.

However, CCTV footage showed him parking on double yellow lines and walking to the gym alone.

Confronted with this evidence, Mr Shetty made a full admission.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said: "This case highlights the importance of our ongoing efforts to tackle blue badge fraud.

"Fraudulent use of blue badges undermines a system designed to support disabled persons, enabling them to live full lives.

"It denies genuine badge holders’ access to necessary parking and reduces the Council’s parking revenue, which could otherwise fund vital public services.

"We will continue to take robust action against those who seek to abuse the system.”

The council urges residents to report any suspicions concerning blue badge misuse, or other types of fraud against the council.

They can contact the counter fraud and investigation team on 01702 215254 or email counterfraud@southend.gov.uk. All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.