A man who was caught using a stolen blue badge issued for disabled drivers was ordered to pay more than £1,000.
Mr Jos Costa, Exbourne Road, Reading, RG2 8RH, appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on 17 April 2026.
The court heard Costa had been charged under Section 115 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 as amended after using a stolen blue badge. He claimed he did not know it was stolen and it was given to him by a neighbour, but could not explain where it had originally come from. The court ordered him to pay a £600 fine, £240 victim surcharge and £350 in court costs – a total of £1,190.
His case is one of 12 brought last month by the council as part of a crackdown on blue badge fraud.
Across all 12 cases of blue badge misuse brought to court, offenders were ordered to pay a total of more than £10,000 in fines, victim surcharges and court costs.
Misused blue badges are seized by council officers every month and the prosecutions form part of the council’s ongoing efforts to protect accessible parking for disabled residents.
Hundreds prosecuted
Since April 2025, Ealing Council has successfully prosecuted 152 individuals for misusing blue badges. These cases have resulted in:
- £30,500 in fines
- £11,939 in victim surcharges
- £93,955.51 in council costs
Tony Singh, the council’s assistant director of sustainable transport, said: “We will continue to crack down on fraudsters, who deprive disabled people of the support they need and are entitled to.
“Mr Costa’s case is just one of 12 brought before the courts last month. The message is clear: if a blue badge has not been issued to you, do not use it. Even if misuse is claimed to be a mistake, it can still result in prosecution.”
What is a blue badge?
A blue badge is a parking concession given to people with conditions that impact their mobility. It allows them, and their carers, to park in designated spots, often closer to their destination.
Badges can only be used by the person they are issued to, or by someone transporting them. Using it in any other way is a criminal offence and can lead to a fine of up to £1,000 for misusing a blue badge, and even prison for the more serious offence of using a stolen badge.
Improvements for blue badge users
Earlier this year, the council introduced a package of changes to improve access and reduce costs for disabled residents:
- free Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) permits for blue badge holders now last 3 years instead of 1
- disabled bay permits are now free and renewed every 3 years. Previously, this was annually with a £35 fee
- blue badge applications are now free for residents who have a terminal illness, removing financial pressure for those facing extremely difficult circumstances
CPZ permits allow blue badge holders to park outside their home without needing to display a badge in their car, reducing thefts of badges left in cars overnight. These permits are only available to blue badge holders who live within a restricted parking area and are only valid within that specific zone.
If you have a disability, you can check if you are eligible for a blue badge on the government’s website. If you are eligible, you can apply on the council’s website.
If you suspect someone of using a blue badge fraudulently or want to report your blue badge as lost or stolen, report it as lost or stolen on the council’s website.
