A MOTORIST who used her dead mother’s Blue Badge and another who doctored her permit’s expiry date have been fined more than £1,000.

Eagle-eyed enforcement officers working on behalf of East Sussex County Council caught Beverley Bryant, of St Leonards, and Nicola Pantry, of Hastings, during regular checks.

The pair appeared at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, August 7, where both pleaded guilty to the offences.

Ms Bryant, 55 of Georgian Walk, was using a Blue Badge belonging to her dead mother. She was fined £250, made to pay a £25 victim surcharge, and pay costs totalling £491.

Mrs Pantry, 48, of Hestingas Plat, Ebernezer Road, was found to have altered the expiry date on her Blue Badge from 2014 to 2016. She was fined £120, made to pay a £20 victim surcharge and pay costs of £150.

“These latest prosecutions send a clear message to those motorists who continue to fraudulently use a Blue Badge,” said Cllr Carl Maynard, the county council’s lead member for transport and environment.

“We will not hesitate to bring to justice those people who continue to commit these crimes and abuse the system.”

Cllr Maynard added: “This is not a victimless crime.  These motorists are using spaces required by people who have a genuine need – those who have severe mobility problems or are registered blind.

“Every fraudulent Blue Badge is also costing the taxpayer up to £5,000 in lost parking revenue and the cost of installing more disabled bays.”

In December last year East Sussex County Council teamed up with Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police to launch Operation Bluebird, an initiative to crackdown on the misuse of Blue Badges.

Government funding enabled the partners to invest in dedicated officers to investigate and take action over the illegal use of Blue Badges.

In June, the county council offered motorists in possession of fraudulent Blue Badges the chance to hand them over and avoid further action as part of an amnesty.  A total of 36 permits were surrendered.

“We have given people every opportunity to hand in any illegally held Blue Badges,” Cllr Maynard added. “We will continue to carry out regular checks on drivers using these permits and will take action against those who continue to flout the law.”

Members of the public can report the misuse of Blue Badges by calling 01323 464244 or emailing badgefraud@eastsussex.gov.uk