Graduate Sophie Adebayo, 38, appeared at Bexley Magistrates Court yesterday, where she stood to tearfully confirm her name, date of birth and address.
Her defence team hope the charges will be dropped and the case was adjourned until February 28 to make legal representations to the London Borough of Greenwich.
The Health Emergency Badge is a London-wide scheme, which allows users to park on yellow lines and in residents bays and parking bays while attending medical emergencies in patients’ homes.
Adebayo, of Hatfield House, Merryweather Place, Greenwich graduated from Middlesex University and has a Masters degree from the University of East London.
She is employed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in south-east London.
Adebayo is charged with two counts of fraud by false representation, namely that on March 31 and May 31, last year in Devonshire Drive, Greenwich she dishonestly displayed a copy of the badge in a restricted parking bay.
She is also charged with possessing an article for use in fraud, namely the photocopied badge, between March 31 and May 31, last year and making an article for use in fraud on March 31.
Her lawyer Tahera Ahmad told the court: “These are serious allegations and Ms Adebayo is of good character with no previous convictions.
“We wish to apply for an adjournment to allow representations to be made to the London Borough of Greenwich to consider an out of court disposal.”
The council indicated they would consider any legal representations, but stressed they considered it a “serious matter in the course of employment.”
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