Southend city council prosecutes Westcliff man for blue badge fraud

A man from Westcliff-on-Sea has been prosecuted after Southend City Council’s Counter Fraud and Investigation Team uncovered he was fraudulently using a disabled blue badge.

Ashley Binns, 46, of Westborough Road, Westcliff, admitted at Southend Magistrates’ Court on 13 February 2025 that he had been unlawfully using his wife’s blue badge to park outside his home. He pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined £146, ordered to pay £345 in costs, and received a £58 victim surcharge.

The case was first brought to the council’s attention in December 2023, when a member of the public reported that Binns was frequently using a blue badge to park illegally on double yellow lines. Following an investigation, the council’s fraud team confirmed the misuse and issued a formal warning, advising him to stop or face legal consequences.

Despite this, further complaints were made in June 2024, prompting the council to reopen the case. Investigators later observed Binns parking illegally without a blue badge displayed. Shortly afterwards, a person was seen leaving his property and placing the badge on his dashboard—clear evidence of deliberate fraud. When invited for an interview, Binns admitted to using his wife’s blue badge for convenience rather than necessity.

What is blue badge fraud?

The blue badge scheme is designed to help people with severe mobility issues park closer to their destinations, making everyday activities more accessible. In the UK, blue badge holders can park for free in disabled bays, on-street pay-and-display spaces, and, in many cases, on double yellow lines for up to three hours.

However, fraudulent use of a blue badge undermines the system and takes spaces away from those who genuinely need them. Common forms of blue badge fraud include:

• Using a badge that belongs to a relative or friend when the holder is not present.
• Using an expired or stolen badge.
• Forging or altering a blue badge.

Councils across the UK are cracking down on misuse, with penalties including fines of up to £1,000 and even criminal prosecution.

Southend Council’s commitment to tackling fraud

Cllr Martin Terry, cabinet member for community safety, said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates the council’s commitment to tackling blue badge fraud. Our fraud team works hard to protect the integrity of the scheme, ensuring spaces remain available for those who genuinely need them. If you misuse a blue badge, you will be caught, and you could face prosecution.”

Southend City Council’s Counter Fraud and Investigation Team works closely with Civil Enforcement Officers to identify and take action against offenders. Residents are encouraged to report suspected blue badge fraud to help protect the integrity of the scheme.

If you suspect blue badge misuse or any other type of fraud against the council, contact the Counter Fraud and Investigation Team at 01702 215254, email CounterFraud@southend.gov.uk or fill in the form here: https://www.southend.gov.uk/xfp/form/93

All reports are treated with the strictest confidence.

Who Qualifies for a Blue Badge? Here’s What You Need to Know

For those with mobility challenges, a Blue Badge can be a lifeline, offering easier access to parking spaces and reducing travel difficulties. But who is automatically eligible, and who might need to apply with supporting evidence?

Automatic Eligibility:

You will automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if any of the following apply:

• You receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• You receive Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and score 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ section, meaning you can’t walk more than 50 metres.
• You are registered blind (severely sight impaired).
• You receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement.
• You have been awarded a lump sum payment (within tariff levels 1 to 8) under the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have a permanent and substantial disability affecting your ability to walk.
• You receive the mobility component of PIP and have been awarded 10 points for descriptor E in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, indicating you cannot undertake any journey due to overwhelming psychological distress.

If you have any other score under descriptor E—even a higher score of 12—you may still be eligible, but your case will be assessed based on supporting evidence.

Who Else Might Qualify?

If you don’t meet the automatic criteria, you could still be eligible for a Blue Badge if you experience significant difficulties with mobility, including:

• Being unable to walk at all.
• Needing assistance or mobility aids to walk.
• Experiencing severe pain, breathlessness, or difficulty due to the time it takes to walk.
• Having a life-limiting illness that makes walking extremely difficult, supported by an SR1 form.
• Having a severe disability in both arms that prevents you from using pay-and-display machines.
• Being a parent of a child under three who either requires bulky medical equipment or must be kept near a vehicle for emergency treatment.
• Experiencing significant risk around traffic, such as struggling to plan or follow journeys, lacking awareness of danger, or having overwhelming responses to certain situations.