A fraudster found using a stolen disabled parking permit has been fined £1,500.

Riliwan Balogun, of the Grove, Gravesend, faces a bill of £2,500 and a criminal record for trying to pass off the Blue Badge as his own.

The 33-year-old admitted fraud and handling stolen goods and, at at Medway Magistrates Court on September 8, was ordered to pay a £200 victim surcharge and £1,500 fine, plus £800 in costs.

The Blue Badge scheme is designed to help people with disabilities park closer to their destination, such as the local shop.

The chairman of the bench told Balogun that, as well as a criminal record, he was being taught "an expensive and sad lesson”.

The court was told on June 19 last year, the scammer had parked his car outside his home. The vehicle displayed a badge that had been reported stolen to the issuing authority, the London Borough of Haringey, the previous month.

Balogun was not with his car when a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was issued by a civil enforcement officer. However, a short time later that same day, he drove to find and confront the parking warden about the fine.

When questioned as to the validity of the badge, Balogun stated it was his, then drove off.

Kent County Council (KCC), the issuing and enforcement authority for Blue Badges in Kent, was informed and requested Balogun speak to its fraud team several times, which he ignored.

KCC cabinet member for adult social care and public health, Dan Watkins, said: “By providing parking near to shops and other locations, Blue Badges are a lifeline for people with walking or mobility issues.

“Abusing the scheme prevents disabled people being able to park close to their destination and means councils have less money to spend on services, such as concessionary travel for the disabled.

“Our partnership working with district councils continues to be highly effective in stopping Blue Badge abuse.”

Leader of Gravesham Borough Council, John Burden, said: “This case serves as a warning to others who either are or are tempted use Blue Badges fraudulently that our parking enforcement officers are always alert to potential abuse of the system.

“Where they identify such cases, we will always work closely with our colleagues at Kent County Council to bring the offenders to justice.”