A MAN who used his grandmother's disabled parking badge has been fined hundreds of pounds.

Stephen Peacock, of The Courtyard, Pangbourne, was sentenced at Reading Magistrates' Court on January 18.

On July 4 last year, Mr Peacock parked his grey Mercedes in a disabled bay outside Forbury Gardens.

The 25-year-old displayed his grandmother's badge to park in the town centre while she was at home, before going to work.

Councillor Tony Page, deputy leader of the council, said: “This month’s successful prosecution sends out the clear message this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.

“The blue badge scheme is in place to help provide freedom for people with limited mobility by allowing them to park close to their homes or their destination.

"Blue badge misuse undermines the system and takes spaces away from those who genuinely need them.”

Mr Peacock pleaded guilty to the offence and admitted to using his grandmother’s Blue Badge wrongfully. He was fined £600 with a victim surcharge of £60 and costs of £200.

Since April 2015, Reading Borough Council has successfully prosecuted nine people for blue badge fraud.

In the same period, the council has also removed a total of 17 blue badges from circulation because of misuse of the badges and issued a total of 24 penalty charge notices.

This case follows a similar incident in November, when a woman unlawfully used her mother's blue badge to park in the town centre, in order to enjoy a night out with friends.