A woman from Watford who misused a blue badge belonging to a relative has pleaded guilty at court following an investigation by the Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS).
On Wednesday, December 21, Georgia Kouka, 61, of Arundel Drive, Watford pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates’ Court to charges under section 117 of The Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984.
The court heard that on June 1, 2022, Ms Kouka parked her vehicle in a disabled parking bay on Shenley Road, Borehamwood. She had displayed a blue badge, issued by Hertfordshire County Council to someone else, in her vehicle which exempted her from parking restrictions.
A Civil Enforcement Officer (CEO) for Hertsmere Borough Council conducted a routine check and asked to inspect the blue badge to confirm ownership and discovered that the badge did not belong to her. Ms Kouka confirmed the badge belonged to her mother, who was not present with her. The badge was seized by the CEO and referred to the Shared Anti-Fraud Service to further investigate.
The magistrates sentenced Ms Kouka, who had cooperated with the investigation throughout, to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a contribution towards council costs.
Hertsmere Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Transport including Parking, Cllr Jean Heywood, commented: “Blue badges are allocated to support those with disabilities and everyone has a responsibility to make sure they are used appropriately.
“This case shows that we will forward any alleged cases of misuse or fraud through to SAFS to investigate and look to prosecute where there is evidence to do so.”
The Shared Anti-Fraud Service works in partnership with Hertsmere Borough Council to investigate and prosecute allegations of fraud against the many services delivered by the council.
You can report suspected fraud against Hertsmere Borough Council or the county council in the strictest confidence. For more information, and to report your concerns, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/fraud or call 0300 123 4033.
0 Comments