A man has been fined after misusing a blue badge that was linked to a hospice. 

Nurul Rahman, of Kelvin Road, Ipswich, was parked in King Street on October 10, 2023, when officers from Suffolk County Council spotted a blue badge displayed by West Sussex County Council to a hospice. 

The badge was inspected and Rahman told officers he worked for the hospice, claiming it also operated in Ipswich.

Suffolk Magistrates' Court in IpswichSuffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich (Image: Newsquest)

He said he had dropped a disabled person off in town.

Investigations found that the hospice did not operate in Suffolk, had no link to Rahman and only supported children. 

The hospice was also unaware their blue badge was being used in the county.

Appearing at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Monday, Rahman pleaded guilty to wrongful display of a blue badge contrary to Section 117 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

Rahman was fined £153 and ordered to pay £1,000 in investigatory and legal costs, and £61 as a victim surcharge.

Georgia Chimbani, director of adult social services in Suffolk said: “The county council works closely with the Suffolk district and borough councils to tackle blue badge misuse and protect the rights of disabled motorists, including undertaking investigations and prosecutions where appropriate.

“This prosecution sends a clear message that the misuse of a Blue Badge will not be tolerated in Suffolk.

"This is not a victimless crime. Illegally using a badge that isn’t yours is denying a disabled parking space to those who have a genuine need for them.

“I would like to thank our Counter Fraud Team for their work alongside the district and borough councils in tackling Blue Badge misuse as part of our ongoing commitment to helping the people of Suffolk to live happy and independent lives.”