Two Oxfordshire motorists have been prosecuted for illegally using blue badges in the latest crackdown on disabled parking fraud by Oxfordshire County Council.
Following an on-street enforcement exercise by the council’s counter fraud team, Azeem Ansari, 44, of Kennington Road, Oxford, and Lauren Bell, 38, of Poplar Close, Garsington, appeared at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Friday 19 September, where both admitted misusing blue badges to park in Oxford city centre.
Mr Ansari used a badge on 20 January 2025 that had been cancelled after its original owner – his grandmother – had died. In court, the district judge acknowledged that Mr Ansari may not have set out to commit fraud that day, but he made a conscious decision to use the invalid badge, believing he would not be caught.
He was fined £576, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £230.40, and the council was awarded £1,787.50 in costs.
Ms Bell also admitted to illegally using a blue badge on 20 January 2025. The badge she displayed had been reported lost by its rightful owner. She was fined £400, with a £160 victim surcharge, and the council was awarded £500 in costs.
A third case has been adjourned until November. These prosecutions follow three earlier convictions in December and January for similar offences.
Councillor Dan Levy, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation, emphasised the importance of enforcement:
“The blue badge system is there for people who rely on it to help them remain mobile and independent. Those who abuse it deny vital parking spaces to people who really need them the most.
“Valid blue badges enable people to access goods and services and park near workplaces, supermarkets and health facilities. That is why we, as a council, will continue to take enforcement action to stop those misusing this service.”
Blue badge misuse is a criminal offence that can result in fines of up to £1,000 and a criminal record.
Oxfordshire County Council’s enforcement programme is designed not only to penalise offenders but also to raise awareness of the essential role blue badges play in enabling residents to attend medical appointments, shop for essentials, or access their workplace.
