On 5 June 2017, Mr Tamer Zinnureyin was sentenced at Bexley Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to using the Blue Badge to park on a yellow line whilst working in his restaurant in Greenwich town centre.

Attempted to use Blue Badge to avoid parking fine

Royal Greenwich investigators spotted the distinctive red car with personalised number plate and a Civil Enforcement Officer was about to issue a Penalty Charge Notice when the 40-year-old stepped out of his restaurant and placed a Blue Badge on the dashboard.

When Royal Borough investigators asked to inspect the badge, Mr Zinnureyin denied that it was his car before rushing into the restaurant next door and refusing to come out and surrender the badge.

The Police were called and although they could not find Mr Zinnureyin, family members passed over the car keys and the Blue Badge was confiscated. A Penalty Charge Notice was also issued.

Admitted to misusing the badge

Mr Zinnureyin attended an interview under caution with Royal Greenwich investigators where he denied stealing the badge. He said that his mother had found the Blue Badge outside the restaurant and gave it to him, with his intention being to return it. However he admitted misusing the badge.

Mr Zinnureyin, of Hollington Court, High Street, Chislehurst, pleaded guilty to one charge under Section 117(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. The Court took into account Mr Zinnureyin's guilty plea and fined him £440 and ordered him to pay costs of £268 with a £44 victim surcharge. This has all been paid.

'We take rigorous action to stop Blue Badge misuse'

Cllr Maureen O'Mara, Cabinet Member for Customer Services and Anti-Fraud, said: "This successful prosecution shows how seriously the Royal Borough of Greenwich takes its on-going commitment to prevent and detect fraud.

"We take rigorous action to stop Blue Badge misuse which is good news for all genuine Blue Badge holders who so often are inconvenienced by other car drivers who take up valuable parking spaces whilst misusing Blue Badges they have no right to use."