A DRIVER who illegally used a blue badge she had "found in London" has been ordered to pay hundreds of pounds. 

Kea Richards, 21, of Tudor Way, Hockley, was stopped by a Southend Council enforcement officer after she parked illegally on double yellow lines on Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, in November last year. 

She had displayed a blue badge, but when asked to show it, she drove off. 

This sparked an investigation by the council's Counter Fraud and Investigation Team.

In a subsequent interview, Richards confessed to using a blue badge she had found in London a year prior.

She stated she used it "for emergencies" when she needed to park quickly.

Southend Council allege Richards made no attempt to return the badge and was unaware of the seriousness of her actions until confronted.

She was found guilty of unlawfully using a blue badge and failing to produce it for inspection after appearing at Southend Magistrates’ Court last week. 

The court ordered Richards to pay an £80 fine, a £24 victim surcharge, and £830 for council costs.

Southend Council has said it will tackle abuse of the blue badge system.

Martin Terry, councillor responsible for community safety, said: "This prosecution is a clear demonstration of Southend Council’s determination to combat blue badge fraud.

"Such misuse not only undermines a system designed to assist those with disabilities but also impacts our community’s resources.

"We are committed to protecting the integrity of the blue badge scheme and ensuring that those who exploit it face appropriate consequences."

If anyone has suspicions concerning blue badge misuse, or other types of fraud against the council, call the counter fraud and investigation team on 01702 215254 or e-mail counterfraud@southend.gov.uk.

All information received is treated in the strictest confidence.