Two men fined for misusing Blue Badges in Ipswich and Newmarket
Suffolk County Council says these prosecutions show the 'robust' action it'll take to protect the scheme's 'integrity'
Two men will have to pay more than a thousand pounds each in fines and fees - after they were caught misusing Blue Badges in Ipswich and Newmarket.
Valon Aliaj, of Woolwich Common, London, pleaded guilty on the 13th January 2025 at Ipswich Magistrates to wrongful display of a blue badge contrary to Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.
He was fined £166 and ordered to pay £1500 in investigatory and legal costs, and £66 as a victim surcharge.
What happened?
On the 14th May 2024, an Ipswich Borough Council Civil Parking Enforcement Officer came across Aliaj, who was parked in Norwich Road Shoppers Car Park, Ipswich displaying a blue badge.
The Officer inspected the blue badge and found that the driver was not the badge holder, with Aliaj stating it belonged to a family member.
The Officer seized the badge and referred the case to Suffolk County Council, which found no link between the badge holder and Aliaj, who later told investigators he'd found the badge in the car park and displayed it.
Nicholas Dyerson, of Coronation Close, Broadstairs, also pleaded guilty to the same charge during an appearance at Ipswich Magistrates on 13th January 2025.
He was fined £146 and ordered to pay £942.36 in investigatory and legal costs, and £58 as a victim surcharge.
What happened?
On the 10th September 2024, a West Suffolk Council Civil Parking Enforcement Officer came across a vehicle parked on double yellow lines in the Access Road to Guineas shopping Centre in Newmarket displaying a blue badge issued by Kent County Council.
The Officer had watched four men leave the vehicle.
During the Officer's inspection, Dyerson told the officer he'd just dropped the badge holder off.
As the badge holder was not present at the time that the vehicle was parked and Dyerson refused to contact the badge holder, the Officer seized the badge.
The case was referred to Suffolk County Council who found that the badge belonged to a deceased individual and had been cancelled in August 2024.
"An essential lifeline for residents with mobility challenges"
Councillor Beccy Hopfensperger, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Blue Badges are an essential lifeline for residents with mobility challenges, offering them the access they need to live independent lives.
"These prosecutions highlight the importance of safeguarding the scheme from abuse.
"The illegal misuse of a Blue Badge is unacceptable, and we will continue to take robust action to protect the rights of legitimate badge holders and uphold the integrity of the scheme.”