A private hire taxi 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 2019.
Croydon Council officers spotted the badge and recognised tell-tale signs that it was counterfeit.
In interview, the private hire taxi driver claimed the badge belonged to a friend but was unable to provide their name. He used the fake pass to avoid paying to park his vehicle.
The 29-year-old of Vanguard Close, Croydon, admitted two counts of fraud when he appeared at Camberwell Green magistrates’ court yesterday (10 September) and was ordered to pay fines totalling £750, costs of £450 and a £35 court surcharge.
“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.”
Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for environment and transport
