The drivers had used Blue Badges that did not belong to them to park in disabled parking spaces

Only Blue Badge holders are permitted to park in disabled bays

Two men have been prosecuted for using Blue Badges that didn’t belong to them in order to park in disabled parking spaces.

Awat Piroti from Enfield (EN3) and David Knott from Palmers Green (N13) both attended Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Thursday (22nd) where they pleaded guilty and admitted to using other people’s Blue Badges.

Blue Badges help people with disabilities or health conditions park closer to their destination, using clearly-marked disabled parking bays.

The offences occurred at Lodge Drive Car Park in Palmers Green on 3rd June 2025 and 11th June 2025 respectively.

Their vehicles were removed and towed to Enfield Council’s Crown Road Vehicle Park where Piroti and Knott had to pay a release fee.

Investigations by the council identified that the Blue Badge used by Piroti was stolen. He admitted to finding the badge and placing it on his dashboard for ‘safe keeping’, intending to return it, but denied knowing it was stolen or using it to obtain free parking.

The badge displayed by Knott did not belong to him and had previously been reported as lost by the holder and subsequently cancelled.

The judge ordered that both men pay a fine of £200, plus an £80 victim surcharge and a £300 contribution towards prosecution costs, totalling £580 each.

Rick Jewell, the council’s cabinet member for transport and waste, said: “I’m often contacted by our residents who tell me they have suspicions that Blue Badges are not being used by the persons they were issued to.

“Misusing a Blue Badge is fraud and is not a victimless crime. People are selfishly taking accessible parking spaces that are meant for people in real need. We will continue to clamp down on this illegal behaviour and bring people who misuse Blue Badges to justice.

“I would actively encourage residents to report any concerns they have relating to Blue Badge misuse to the council, so we can investigate and take the appropriate action.”

It is a crime to use an expired, cancelled, stolen, fake or altered Blue Badge. It is also an offence for a holder to give their badge to someone else when they are not with the vehicle. People found to be misusing Blue Badges can be prosecuted and fined up to £1,000 or have their badge taken away.

For more information on Blue Badges:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/parking/disabled-persons-parking-permits

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