Disabled Blue Badge Parking Cheats Named And Shamed

Another round of blue badge parking cheats have been named and shamed after being caught abusing the disabled scheme in London.

On a busy morning at Westminster Magistrates’ Court this week, fines and costs totalling £4920 were imposed on drivers’ who gave a variety of excuses, ranging from innocently finding a badge to not understanding the small print.

First up was father-of-four Tilal Mohammed, 63, (pic. bottom right) of Twynholm Mansions, Lillie Road, Fulham, who pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge in Rockley Road, Shepherd’s Bush on April 22, last year.

Prosecuting for Hammersmith & Fulham council Champa Gurnani told the court the local authority has a “zero tolerance policy” towards abusers of the blue badge disabled parking scheme.

“It is an offence that is happening non-stop on double yellow lines and pay-and-display bays and legitimate blue badge holders are finding parking spaces taken up by the able-bodied.”

Mohammed’s black Nissan hybrid electric vehicle was found parked in a restricted area by an officer on patrol, with his absent autistic eight year-old son’s blue badge displayed on the dashboard.

“The officer believed the badge was being misused because the defendant was the sole occupant of the car and admitted it was his son’s badge.

“He said that his son was at school and he had parked to get himself a snack from Lidl. He disputed that he misused the badge and did not know it was an offence.”

The council asked for their full £554 costs in each case, but this was rarely awarded by the magistrates.

“Why should local taxpayers have to pay the prosecution costs? Mr Mohammed should pay the full costs of the case for using the blue badge,” said Ms Gurnani.

“I sincerely apologise, it was my fault,” he told the court. “We have an autistic child and life is quite hard.

“We had the paperwork and we did not look at it. I had no intention to break the law and have never been in trouble.”

The recent father of newborn twins, Mohammed, who also has an eighteen year-old complained money was tight regarding any financial penalty because he was still repaying a Universal Credit benefits loan.

“I did not realise the child had to be with me at all times to use the blue badge. I had just dropped him off at school.

“Our child does not sleep at night, we have to keep him occupied and life is too frantic to sit down and check the small print. I am not familiar with the blue badge.”

Magistrate Sonia Henley told Mohammed: “You have been straightforward and put your hands up and pleaded guilty.

“You are of good character and admit it was your fault and say you did not understand and only had the blue badge a couple of weeks.

“Your life is stressful and chaotic and that is not an excuse, but is a reason that can be put into the mix.”

He was fined £40, with £200 costs and ordered to pay a £16 victim surcharge.

Next up was self-employed Daniel Spiers, 64, (pic. top left) of Thompson Avenue, Richmond-upon-Thames who pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge in Southerton Road, Hammersmith on February 15, last year.

His white Citroen van was spotted by a warden parked in a RingGo parking bay with a blue badge displayed.

Checks revealed the blue badge had been cancelled thirteen months earlier as the holder was deceased and the van was towed and impounded.

Spiers had to pay approximately £350 to release his van and told the court the blue badge belonged to his deceased friend, who he had assisted with hospital visits and shopping for twenty years.

“I took care of him every night and took him to hospital.” he told the court.

“I parked there, yes. I apologise. I never had time for the RingGo and it was the only parking space.”

The magistrates fined Spiers £146, with £250 costs, plus a £58 victim surcharge and Chairperson Ms Henley told him: “You had the blue badge for a year and you made no effort to pay for parking your van in a restricted area.”

Nancy Chahine, 37, (pic. bottom middle) of Almond Avenue, Ealing had previously pleaded guilty by post to unlawfully using a blue badge to park her white Honda in Bulwer Street, Hammersmith on June 11, last year.

She was fined £250, with £554 costs and ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and appeared in court to negotiate an instalment plan, which was agreed at £50 per month.

Jamie Leonard, 35, (pic. top middle) of Evenwood Close, Putney used a disabled badge to conveniently park his white Citroen diesel while moving home.

He pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge that had been reported stolen in Tynemouth Street, Fulham on September 30, last year.

It had been canceled fifteen months earlier and when he returned to the vehicle Leonard was unable to give the correct name of the badge holder.

“The council’s case is not that he stole the blue badge, but was using it and we have a zero tolerance policy,” said Ms Gurnani.

Leonard was assisted by court duty solicitor Stuart Harris, who said: “He explained that he was moving and parked there to make it easier to load.

“He borrowed the badge from another and had no idea of its history and he lost his job a few weeks ago. He only had it for one night.”

Leonard was fined £146, with £250 costs and was ordered to pay a £58 victim surcharge.

Electrician Khalil Mohammed Salih, 48, (pic. top right) of Southam House, Adair Road, North Kensington claimed he found a discarded disabled blue badge on the pavement and intended to hand it in at a Post Office.

However, it was visible on the dashboard of his red Toyota parked in a RingGo bay in Bagley’s Lane, Fulham on April 30, last year.

The badge had been stolen fifteen months earlier and Salih’s RingGo parking time had expired, resulting in his vehicle being towed and impounded.

“When I got back I couldn’t find my car and the traffic warden told me they took the car,” Salih told the magistrates. “I found the blue badge on the pavement and was going to drop it off at the Post Office.”

Ms Gurnani said: “It was displayed on the dashboard and had not been put away in the glove compartment.”

Salih pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge and was fined £113, with £200 costs and ordered to pay a £45 victim surcharge.

“Even if you found it you shouldn’t have it displayed in your car,” Ms Henley told him.

Arriving hours late for court was jobless Onyekachi Onyebalu, 32, (pic. bottom left) of Gassiot Road, Tooting, whose blue VW was towed after he displayed a stolen blue badge.

The court heard the vehicle was parked in a restricted area in Tynemouth Street, Fulham on May 23, last year and was checked by a warden.

“The case is not that he stole the blue badge, but did use a badge that was not his,” said Ms Gurnani. “The vehicle was towed to a pound and Mr Onyebalu paid the release fee and admitted he was the driver.”

He pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a blue badge and was fined £40, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £16 victim surcharge.

“I thought this had been dealt with a long time ago and paid £350 to get the car out,” complained Onyebalu. “I admit that I used a blue badge that wasn’t mine, I don’t deny that.”

Several blue badge cheats did not appear, including Chelsea & Westminster Hospital neonatal nurse Emma Azzam, 32, of Flora Gardens, Hammersmith.

She was alone when displaying her brother’s disabled blue badge to park her grey Vauxhall near Westfield shopping centre in Aldine Street, Shepherd’s Bush on February 20, last year.

“She told the officer that she was going to pick up her brother while parked in an area near the shopping centre, where there have been a lot of complaints about unlawful blue badge use,” explained Ms Gurnani.

“She said that she was in a hurry and her brother was the blue badge holder and she would return with him in five to ten minutes.”

After fifteen minutes she had not returned and the officer called a tow truck and the car was impounded.

The magistrates convicted her of unlawfully using a blue badge and fined the £1600 per month nurse, who also receives child benefit, £123, with £250 costs, plus a £49 victim surcharge.

West End property consultant Rafid Hanna, 59, of Middle Field, St. John’s Wood pleaded guilty by post to unlawfully using a blue badge when parking for a takeaway.

The court heard he used his absent aunt’s disabled badge to park his black Mini in a restricted area in Caxton Road, Shepherd’s Bush on October 6, last year.

“The blue badge was for a woman when the officer checked it and the defendant returned to the car alone with a takeaway,” said Ms Gurnani.

“He confirmed the badge holder was his aunt, who was at home in Kensington and he used the blue badge to purchase a takeaway.”

In a letter to the court the £6,400 per month property professional said he was running errands for his aunt and did not know it was an offence to use her disability badge.

“I did not lie or deceive or act disrespectfully,” he added before being fined £492, with £554 costs, plus a £192 victim surcharge.

Kurt Garwood, 34, of Ampleforth Road, Abbey Wood also failed to appear after being caught using a stolen blue badge to park his blue Smart car for free.

The court heard the badge was displayed in Pellant Road, Fulham on April 2, last year, twelve months after it had been pinched. 

He was fined £220, with £250 costs and ordered to pay a £58 victim surcharge.

Another eleven blue badge cases were either withdrawn, adjourned or given trial dates.

Jailed: Predator Who Molested Two Women On Tube

A London Underground pervert, who molested two female passengers on the stairway of two different station, has been locked-up.

Mansoor Ahmed, 30, was jailed for 26 months and placed on the sex offenders register.

On September 6, 2020 the first victim walked up the stairs at Gloucester Road Underground Station when she was sexually assaulted by Ahmed. 

The victim screamed and Ahmed ran from the scene, and she reported it the following day.

Following an appeal to the public Ahmed was identified and circulated as wanted for questioning.

On November 20, 2020 a second woman was sexually assaulted by Ahmed while she walked down the steps at Charing Cross Station. 

Ahmed then walked away, however the victim spotted to British Transport Police officers at the station and reported the incident to them.

Ahmed was subsequently detained and arrested at the station and later released under investigation while enquiries continued.

The two incidents were linked and attempts were made to locate Ahmed, however his whereabouts were unknown.

On May 27, 2021 Ahmed was located on board a ferry arriving at Holyhead from Ireland and was arrested at the scene. 

Ahmed, of Stephenson Street, Riverside, Cardiff admitted two counts of sexual assault and was sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant David Weatherhead said: “Ahmed’s behaviour was absolutely disgusting and there is zero tolerance for this on the rail network. 

“I would like to thank the two victims for their courage in coming forward and reporting this offence.”

RADA Actor Jailed For Strangling Girlfriend

An award-winning actor’s ambition to move to London and study at RADA has ended with him beginning an eighteen-month prison sentence after drunkenly strangling his girlfriend.

Red Frederick, 31, asked the victim: “Do you want to die a little bit?” before applying “ten out of ten” pressure to her neck, preventing her from breathing.

The Trinidad & Tobago native - real name Renaldo - was excited to be only one of sixteen students worldwide to be accepted for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts’ one-year Master of Arts Theatre Lab programme. 

However, his dreams of an acting and stage and filmmaking career are now in tatters as his visa has expired and he is eligible for Home Office removal once his prison sentence is served.

A Southwark Crown Court jury convicted Frederick of one count of intentional strangulation at the bar manageress’ Westminster residence on June 1, 2023 and causing criminal damage to her mobile phone on July 15.

Frederick, who has been staying at his sponsors’ home in Trona Court, Sittingbourne, Kent was locked-up for twenty-two days after his arrest and spent another 107 days on an electronic monitoring tag.

It was not his first brush with the law having been granted a visa as he already had a conviction for assaulting a member of security staff at ‘Heaven’ nightclub in London’s West End in April, 2023.

Judge Justin Cole told Frederick yesterday: “You came back once night, apparently drunk or in drink and got into bed and cuddled with the complainant.

“You then asked her: ‘Do you want to die a little bit?’ and she, believing it was some sort of prank said yes.

“You then put her in a tight headlock and she described herself as being completely unable to breathe and said it was ‘ten out of ten’ tightness for a few seconds.

“You loosened your grip, but kept her in a headlock for an hour and fell asleep, but when she tried to free herself you would tighten your grip.”

Frederick told the victim: “If you continue to struggle, I’m going to put you to sleep.”

Judge Cole added: “She said that in the morning you continued to find it funny and told her that she had ‘only stopped breathing for four seconds’.

“You told her if it had gone on longer her lips would have turned purple and next time it would be five seconds. 

“This may have began with you believing there was an element of consent, but it soon became apparent there was an element of suffering and you exerted control over her.

“According to the pre-sentence report you are in continued denial about the offence and I believe this was a deeply toxic relationship.

“She did send you an image of strangulation of a sexual manner.

“It was highly dangerous and you did this as an instrument of control.

“I have considered long and hard if I can suspend the sentence as there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation and there is strong personal mitigation.

“However, there is no arguing this was highly dangerous and given the nature of the incident the punishment can only be one of immediate custody.”

After landing the RADA course Frederick told local media: “I feel pretty damn good. There is a weight I know I have to carry, representing my country.”

After winning local acting awards he won a scholarship to the ‘Trinidad Theatre Workshop’ and went on to achieve a BA in Film Production at the University of the West Indies.

Frederick also won a short film award and acted with the National Theatre Arts Company of Trinidad and Tobago.

He even had a fundraising event called ‘incREDible’ to assist raising the approximate £11,800 he needed to complete the RADA course.

His lawyer Barry Kogan told the court: “He will return to Trinidad, having learned a severe lesson from these proceedings and would not feel that a suspended sentence was a let-off.

“He is quite an industrious man, but has not been allowed to work and has remained in Kent, biding his time and waiting for today.

“He has suffered very considerably already, regarding punishment and without minimising what the complainant suffered the impact on her does not seem severe.

“He has learned his lesson, he is a decent individual as one can see from the various letters on his behalf.

“This was, perhaps a very bad prank that went wrong and should not have happened and even the complainant thought it was a joke at first.

“He is an intelligent man and this will hang over his head.”

Robbery Spree On Metropolitan Line

A lone mugger is wanted for a London Underground robbery spree, which saw three victims aggressively targeted within minutes.

A female and male passenger travelling on an afternoon tube train were the first victims, followed by a teenage boy on a station platform.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this CCTV image of their suspect.

They are requesting the assistance of the public to help identify him.

BTP are treating the investigation as robbery and assault.

At approximately 3.30pm on Tuesday, October 22 last year, a male sat next to the female victim on the Metropolitan Line service between Preston Road and Wembley Park stations.

He demanded her belongings a she managed to move away from him before he turned his attention to another passenger.

He made the same demand of another man on the train and the pair were involved in an altercation. 

As the train pulled into Wembley Park he picked the up the victim’s bags and left the train.

Once on the platform he assaulted a teenage boy and demanded his money, but the boy managed to get away. 

Officers believe the man in the CCTV images may have information that could help their investigation.

They are also appealing for the boy who was assaulted to come forward.

Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV, or has any other information, is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 2400132555 of 22 October 2024.

Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Sneak Thief Jailed And Slapped With Square Mile Ban

A sneak-thief, who targeted drinkers in a City of London bar – nicking bags containing £4,000 in personal belongings – has been jailed. 

Rostom Zenir, 24, of no fixed address, received twelve months imprisonment for six separate thefts in the Square Mile's Little Somerset Street.

Between December 12, last year and January 15 he repeatedly returned to the licenced premises, stealing property, including laptops.

Zenir was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), banning him from entering the Square Mile for five years.

Detective Sergeant Helen Bentley, of City of London Police, said:

“We hope that this CBO and sentence will give reassurance to people who work, live and visit the City, and also to licensed premises.

“A CBO will help us protect businesses and communities from various offences, including theft and anti-social behaviour.

“We take such offences very seriously and this is a warning that we will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice.”

Zenir could face further prison
time if he breaches the CBO.

Female Thameslink Passenger Verbally Abused

Police are hunting a train passenger, who verbally abused a woman sitting opposite with sexually-explicit language.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of the suspect.

Investigating officers are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying him.

The victim was travelling onboard a Thameslink train travelling between West Hampstead and Kentish Town just after 11.00pm on Saturday, December 14.

A male deliberately placed himself opposite the woman and began muttering to himself.

He then began shouting violent sexually abusive language towards her.

Officers would like to speak to the man in the image who they believe may have information that could help their investigation.

If anyone recognises this man or anyone who witnessed this incident asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference number 2400157407.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Pride Of E1 Banged Up For Booze Burglaries

A proud Cockney burglar, who specialises in stealing booze from the neighbouring City of London has been locked-up for sixteen months.

Scott Sadlet, 47, of Burcham Street, Poplar – who has his local E1 postcode tattooed on his face – targeted bars and pubs in the Square Mile.

He has now been slapped with a five-year ban, prohibiting him entering the City of London as a condition of his court-imposed Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

Detective Sergeant Helen Bentley, of City of London Police, said: “A banning order helps us to protect businesses and communities from various offences, including theft and anti-social behaviour.

“We take such offences very seriously and this is a warning that we will bring those committing crimes in the City to justice.”

“We hope that this sentence and CBO will give reassurance to businesses and people who visit the City, as well as act as a deterrent to others thinking of criminal activity.”

Sadler was convicted of the following:

• On 15 March 2023, Sadler broke into a licensed premises on Throgmorton Street via a fire-door and stole numerous bottles of alcohol.

• On the 24 March 2023, he entered the bar area of a licensed premises on St Michael’s Alley and stole a bottle of alcohol.

• On 24 March, he entered the basement bar area of a licensed premises at Minories and stole bottles of alcohol.

• Sadler failed to to appear at The Old Bailey on the 28 October 2024 for a case relating to a burglary offence on the 24 March 2023.

• He also failed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 25 June 2024, relating to burglary offences on 15 February 2023 and 24 March 2023.

Who Is The Hoodie? Female Passenger Molested On Jubilee Line

Transport cops are hunting this hooded suspect after a female train passenger was molested on a Jubilee Line service.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image as part of their ongoing sexual assault investigation.

They are appealing to members of the public to assist them in identifying the unknown male.

The victim was onboard the tube train travelling between Canning Town and Finchley Road at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday, January 15.

She was standing when a man sexually assaulted her.

Officers would like to speak to the man in the images as they believe he may have information which could help with their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 261 of 15 January.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Prolific Starmer Early-Release Offender Back Behind Bars

Court Date: Heathorn

A prisoner released early by PM Keir Starmer is back behind bars after racially abusing and spitting at police when arrested at Wimbledon railway station.

Ross Heathorn, 47, was interviewed outside HMP Wandsworth last September, revealing the first thing he would do with his unexpected freedom is treat himself to a McDonald’s.

He had just been paroled after serving 40% of his latest sentence in a criminal career, which has seen him convicted of thirty-nine offences.

At Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court Heathorn, of Curtismill Close, Orpington received sixteen weeks imprisonment.

He pleaded guilty to the racially-aggravated assault of PC Rory Green and PC Umar Choudhury on December 12, last year.

Prosecutor Joanna Sherman told the court: “Police officers were called to Wimbledon station at 7.30pm. The defendant was described as drunk and harassing people in the station.

“He spat at PC Green and called him a ‘white c***’ as he was assaulting him and spat at PC Choudhury, calling him a ‘p*** c***’ multiple times.

“Mr Heathorn was taken to the police van and banged his head multiple times on the inside of the vehicle so severely the police rerouted to St. George’s Hospital for treatment.”

Heathorn also pleaded guilty to assaulting PC Stylianos Tsatsas at the hospital.

“He spat at the officer and it landed on the right side of his forehead,” added Ms Sherman.

After treatment Heathorn was taken to Wandsworth custody centre, where he verbally abused Sergeant Becky McClunan.

“He called her a ‘fat slag’ multiple times and kicked his shoe off towards her, with his shoe hitting her.”

Heathorn also pleaded guilty to assaulting the custody sergeant and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour towards her.

“In the cell he defecated and spread his waste on the walls,” added the prosecutor.

Heathorn also pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to the cell and to later breaching his bail condition to live and sleep at his address.

“He has a significant criminal record, including six offences against the person and in 2023 was convicted of assaulting an emergency worker.”

Final Puff: Heathorn

The court heard after his release in September Heathorn was recalled to prison and then released again in November, committing the Wimbledon station offences the following month.

Heathorn complained he was recalled to prison for being two hours late for a Probation Service appointment and was frustrated by the post-custody services he receives.

“I had some bad news and my head was gone,” he told the court from the dock. “I have been managing everything on my own, but they make things worse, they keep pushing my buttons.

“Instead of helping me I have been homeless for a year and I have only just got a place now. I am bipolar.

“I was released again in November and then I was recalled that same day because I was two hours late to probation.”

Regarding the latest offences he explained: “I was drunk and walking along and telling people to stay away from me and the police put their hands on me and I reacted. I’m sorry for what I did.”

Heathorn did not attend an appointment to complete a pre-sentence report for the court so was dealt with without one.

“They are not listening to me,” he complained. “They are driving me mental and are on their computer when I am trying to talk to them.

“I am not seeing a doctor or any mental health people.

“I gave up heroin, I did that myself and not many people do that. It is hard. How do I keep it together?

“Also I still cannot feel my thumb here due to the police,” claiming that he was injured when arrested.

The court also heard that Heathorn still owes £15,883 in outstanding court fines, costs and compensation for previous offences.

Deputy District Judge Peter Hayes told him: “These offences are such that they demand a prison sentence of some type.

“Often when people have mental health issues that is a good reason to suspend the sentence, however you recently had a suspended sentence and you breached it.

“The most serious offences are clearly spitting at the police officers and in one case it landing on the officer’s face and racially abusing the officers.

“The offences are also aggravated by your large number of previous criminal convictions.

“You owe the court an amount that is never going to be paid so even though the officers deserve compensation I am not going to order it.

“You will now be on supervision for up to a year after you are released and it is up to you to attend appointments, which give you a fighting chance of staying out of prison.”

Standing Target: Female Passenger Molested On Tube Train

Police are hunting this suspected London Underground pervert after a standing female passenger was molested on a tube train.

British Transport Police (BTP) have released this image of the suspect and are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying him.

The BTP investigation is treating the incident as sexual assault.

The victim was travelling at approximately 4.45pm on a westbound District Line train travelling between Upminster and Bank on Friday, December 6, last year.

BTP officers would like to speak to the man in the image as they believe he may have information which could help with their investigation.

Anyone who recognises him is asked to contact British Transport Police by texting 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40, quoting reference 540 of 6 December.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.