Woman first in city to face court as Blue Badge cheat

Charlotte Rank, of Morley, admitted the wrongful use of the badge at a hearing at Leeds Magistrates’ Court.

She was ordered to pay £140 plus a £15 surcharge and £85 in costs at a hearing last week.

Ms Rank was initially seen using a Blue Badge, issued to a disabled relative, while in the car on her own last year. Parking officers chose not to give her a ticket but advised her how the badge should be used.

But she was subsequently issued with three parking tickets for exploiting the badge; twice for illegally using the badge to park for free and once for not displaying the badge or a proper permit.

Speaking afterwards the authority said Blue Badges should only be used when the person it is issued to is driving or is a passenger in the vehicle.