Blue badge fraudster sentenced to community service

Alexander Javanovic, 35, of Dahl Close, Bedford, was caught by a Bedford Borough Council civil enforcement officer displaying the badge while being parked.

When the officer asked if the badge could be inspected, Javanovic refused and drove off, returning within minutes with a valid parking ticket he had subsequently bought.

Luton Magistrates Court heard after a council investigation, Javanovic was interviewed by Fraud Officers. His account of his actions were disproved by video footage taken by the enforcement officer.

At this point, he accepted what happened and admitted he had displayed his mother’s Blue Badge while she was not present.

The Court heard that Javanovic had previously received an official caution at Bedford Magistrates Court on November 6, 2014, for parking in a disabled bay while displaying his mother’s blue badge when she was not present. He also pleaded guilty to refusing to hand the badge over to be inspected by a Civil Enforcement Officer.

Luton Magistrates sentenced Javanovic to a 12 month Community Order and 100 hours of unpaid work and 15 hours of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement on Wednesday, March 16.

The Magistrates also ordered Javanovic to pay £500 in costs along with a victim surcharge of £60.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance at Bedford Borough Council, said: “The people who suffer most when Blue Badge Fraud is committed are genuine Blue Badge holders who are not able to park in the places they need to that allow them to go about their day-to-day life.

“The message is clear that if you commit Blue Badge fraud in Bedford Borough you should expect to face prosecution. Bedford Borough Council takes cases of Blue Badge Fraud extremely seriously.”