Private hire driver from London ordered to pay over a thousand pounds for using a fake disability Bl

A private hire driver who used a fake blue badge to park in Croydon has been fined hundreds of pounds. Josh Elvin used a counterfeit blue badge to park his black Toyota Auris on Derby Road and Leighton Street in January.

Croydon Council officers spotted the badge and recognised tell-tale signs that it was counterfeit. During interviewing, the private hire driver claimed the badge belonged to a friend but was unable to provide their name. 

He used the fake blue badge to avoid paying any parking fees. The 29-year-old from Croydon, admitted two counts of fraud when he appeared at Camberwell Green magistrates’ court on 10 September and was ordered to pay fines totalling £750, costs of £450 and a £35 court surcharge. A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “Blue badges offer a lifeline to people who would otherwise struggle to access community facilities and this driver was selfishly and fraudulently occupying spaces he had no right to. “We are committed to supporting our vulnerable residents, and stopping fraudsters from taking parking spaces from those genuinely in need is one way to help them.” 

Image: Source; Croydon Council