Maidstone resident prosecuted for misuse of a cancelled blue badge

Image of a disabled blue badge holder parking sign

On Friday the 20th of December 2024, at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court, Amelia Burgess (39) of Postley Road, Maidstone pleaded guilty to Road Traffic Regulation Act and Fraud Act offences by misusing a cancelled disabled persons parking permit, also known as a blue badge.

The badge had been cancelled as it was reported lost in March 2022.

The offence took place on the 6th of March 2024. Mrs Burgess displayed the badge in her vehicle on double yellow lines in Station Road, Maidstone in order to obtain a parking concession. When asked by the Civil Enforcement Officer to produce the badge for inspection, she got into her vehicle and drove away without engaging. Kent County Council (KCC), who are the issuing and enforcement authority for blue badges in Kent, were informed of the misuse and an investigation was conducted by KCC’s Counter Fraud Team.

Mrs Burgess was invited to attend an interview on two separate occasions to account for the misuse, however, she failed to respond and did not attend interview. At court, Mrs Burgess informed the court that she had found the badge in a car park and kept it as she thought she would use it when needed.

Mrs Burgess was fined £256, ordered to pay a £102 victim surcharge, and investigation and prosecution costs of £1,014.32 and was convicted of offences under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Fraud Act 2006.

Alan Wright, Chair of Magistrates at Sevenoaks Magistrates Court stated to Mrs Burgess that “she will now have a fraud offence on her record and that should she come to the attention of the courts again, this will be taken into consideration”.

Headshot of the deputy cabinet member Dan Watkins

People who fraudulently use Blue Badges are selfish and reprehensible.

Dan Watkins Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health

Dan Watkins, Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “People who fraudulently use Blue Badges are selfish and reprehensible. They are cheating genuinely disabled people out of parking bays designed specifically for their use to aid their day-to-day mobility and avoid them suffering any additional distress and pain.

“As well as the fines issued, all investigation and prosecution costs must be covered by the defendant, making this a very costly crime for them and not the Kent taxpayer.

“We will continue to work with our district, borough and city councils to crack down on this thoughtless crime and prosecute anyone caught in the act to the fullest extent of the law.”