Last week (Thursday 30 April 2026), at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, Mr Kawsar Ali pleaded guilty to one count of using a parking document with intent to deceive, an offence contrary to Section 115 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

The prosecution followed an incident on 12 June 2025, when Mr Ali parked in a designated disabled bay on Oxford Avenue. Civil Enforcement Officers observed that the Blue Badge on display lacked essential security features and upon taking a closer look, it was identified as a photocopy of a valid badge.

A Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) was issued as a result, however Mr Ali disputed the PCN, maintaining that the badge was genuine. During a subsequent formal interview, he claimed he had dropped the badge holder off nearby prior to parking. However, even if the badge had been genuine, this would still have been against the Blue Badge scheme’s rules.

Mr Ali continued to dispute the PCN during the investigation, before later providing a written statement that admitted the badge was a photocopy and accepted full responsibility for his actions.

In sentencing, the Magistrate condemned Mr Ali’s actions in denying the use of the space to someone with genuine need as “despicable”. The Magistrate also acknowledged his eventual co-operation, but noted the initial attempts to evade the PCN.

Mr Ali was ordered to pay a total of £1,149.70 in financial penalties. This included a fine of £375, which the court reduced from £562 in recognition of his guilty plea, alongside a £150 victim surcharge and £624.70 in prosecution costs.

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “We are committed to investigating and prosecuting Blue Badge misuse. The Blue Badge scheme is a vital lifeline for people with genuine needs and abuse of the scheme directly impacts on people who just want to be going about their daily lives.”