Fine for lying motorist who used friend's disabled parking badge

A WOMAN who used a friend’s disabled parking badge to park in a town centre bay has been prosecuted.

Sheraz Maughal (46), of Bellhouse Road, Sheffield, failed to appear in court when charged with using a pal’s blue badge to park in a disabled bay on Drummond Street in March.

Rotherham Borough Council, who prosecuted the motorist, said she parked the car alone, went into the market, and then returned to the car alone. This was all observed by a parking services manager.

When the manager approached Maughal and asked her the whereabouts of the badge holder, she said her sister had taken him home.

In a subsequent interview under caution, it was established that the badge holder had not been present at all.

Maughal was fined £60 and ordered to pay £300 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Cllr Denise Lelliott, cabinet member for jobs and the economy, said: “This is yet another example of this extremely anti-social crime.

“Using a blue badge fraudulently whilst the badge holder is not present is denying blue badge holders with genuine needs the opportunity to use a designated parking bay.

“Our officers are very alert to fraudulent use of blue badges and anyone using a blue badge in such a manner runs a high risk of being caught and prosecuted.”