Magistrates fine two drivers for misusing others’ Blue Badges
Two drivers who misused other people’s Blue Badges have been ordered to pay a total of £2,056 following investigations by City of York Council officers and Veritau.
Last updated 12th Feb 2026
Both individuals were found to have fraudulently used Blue Badges to park in spaces reserved for disabled people.
Cases and fines
On Thursday 5 February, York Magistrates fined Ela Guneri, 20, of Queen’s Drive, Bedford, a total of £856.70.
The case followed a Parking Day of Action on 23 May 2025, during which council officers and Veritau checked Blue Badges in Castle Car Park.
Guneri was found using a stolen badge, originally issued by Bedford Borough Council and reported stolen in 2024. The investigation confirmed she had misused the badge on at least two other occasions.
When interviewed under caution, Guneri said she had found the badge discarded in York and displayed it on her dashboard, believing the badge holder could reclaim it from her.
She pleaded guilty by post and was ordered to pay a fine of £80, a surcharge of £32, and costs of £744.70.
In a separate case, Sara Knaggs, 49, of Woodlea Avenue, York, was fined £1,200 for using a relative’s Blue Badge to park illegally in the city centre on 15 April 2025.
Council officers spotted the badge in use on a single yellow line at Stonebow. Knaggs admitted to using the badge but failed to attend court. She was found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of £440, a surcharge of £176, and costs of £584.20.
Council response
Councillor Katie Lomas, executive member for counter fraud at City of York Council, said:
“Fraudulent use of Blue Badges undermines this important scheme, which helps disabled people travel independently."
"A Blue Badge is issued to a person, not a vehicle, and can only be used when that person is in the car, being picked up, or dropped off."
"Misuse is unlawful and unfairly disadvantages disabled people. While rates of fraudulent use are low, we are committed to tackling it through regular checks and action against offenders.”
During a Parking Day of Action on 11 December 2025, council officers checked 123 badges across York, identifying two potential cases of misuse now under investigation.
Since 2020, the council has completed 128 investigations into Blue Badge misuse, with fraud confirmed in 91 cases and nine prosecutions to date.
Anyone with information on fraudulent activity can report it anonymously via the council’s fraud hotline on 0800 9179 247 or by emailing [email protected]