Driver’s blue badge shame

A shamed Oldham motorist has been ordered to pay nearly £300 after she was caught abusing the disabled parking system in Manchester.

Unemployed Christina Barnes (29), of Summervale House, was fined £175 with £100 costs, plus a £15 surcharge, after displaying a badge that had belonged to her dead grandmother.

Barnes was one of a dozen drivers prosecuted after attempting to get free parking by altering a blue disabled parking badge, or using a badge belonging to someone else.

All 12 pleaded guilty before Manchester magistrates.

The motorists, who were all caught by the city’s blue badge enforcement team, must pay £5,100 in fines and costs between them.

Councillor Richard Cowell, Manchester City Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “The blue badge system was set up to help motorists who have a genuine need.

“Anyone who abuses it for their own means only makes life harder for these people.

“Our team of undercover enforcers is constantly patrolling the streets of Manchester — and we aren’t going away.”