Two motorists penalized for fraudulent use of Blue Badge parking

Two women were penalized for the fraudulent use of Blue Badges in York. Ela Guneri, 20, from Bedford, was fined for using a stolen badge at Castle car park, while Sara Knaggs, 49, from York, used a relative's badge on The Stonebow. Both cases resulted in fines following court proceedings.

Two women have been penalized for improperly using Blue Badges that did not belong to them, allowing them to park in restricted parking areas within the city of York.

Details of the Offences

Ela Guneri, aged 20, from Bedford, was fined after she used a stolen Blue Badge to park in a disabled parking space at Castle car park. During an interview under caution, Guneri explained that she had discovered the badge discarded in York, where she is currently studying at university. She stated that she had placed the badge on her car’s dashboard, under the impression that the rightful owner would be able to reclaim it.

Meanwhile, Sara Knaggs, a 49-year-old resident of York, was fined for using a relative’s Blue Badge to park in a restricted zone on The Stonebow. Initially, Knaggs told a parking enforcement officer that the badge was hers. However, after using offensive language, she left the scene. Later, she admitted that the badge belonged to a relative and explained that she had dropped them off before parking to go shopping.

Court Outcomes

Ela Guneri pleaded guilty to the improper use of a Blue Badge. On 5 February, York Magistrates' Court ordered her to pay a fine of £856. On the other hand, Sara Knaggs failed to attend her court hearing and was found guilty on 11 December for the same offence. As a result, she was fined £1,200.

Broader Context

Since 2020, the City of York Council has conducted 128 investigations into the misuse of Blue Badges. Fraudulent use of the badges was confirmed in 91 cases, leading to prosecutions in 9 instances.

For additional information, you can listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds or catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Related Stories

For more coverage on similar cases, see reports on Blue Badge fraud, which has seen a rise in counterfeit badges in recent years.

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Author: Caleb Jennings
Caleb Jennings is a journalist reporting on finance and business. He has experience in major business publications and is skilled in analytical reviews and reports.