Birmingham car parking cheats fined for illegal badge use

May 30 2008 By Chris Henwood

THREE car parking cheats have been fined for illegally using disabled badges.

Able-bodied duo Gurmuchkh Singh, 47, and Stacie Smalling, 28, appeared before Birmingham magistrates yesterday after they were caught displaying blue badges belonging to others in their cars on November 13 last year.

Zafar Aslam, 40, was caught on the same day, but didn't show up for his hearing.

Representing himself, Singh, of Highfield Road, Hall Green, pleaded guilty and apologised for the offence.

"I'm extremely sorry," he said. "I've come here in person to express my sincere apologies.

"It was wrong, I shouldn't have done it and I've found this whole experience quite frightening."

Presiding magistrate Tim Field dished out a £75 fine to Singh and ordered him to pay £42 costs along with a £15 victim surcharge.

"You've shown considerable remorse," said Mr Field.

"This has been an expensive mistake for you and we don't expect to see you here again."

Smalling, of Maidstone Road, Perry Barr, also represented herself, but spoke only to confirm her personal details and plead guilty. She was fined £85 and told to pay £42 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Aslam, of Foxhollies Road, Hall Green, was not at his hearing but admitted the offence in a letter that was read out in court.

"I would like to say sorry," he said.

"I did not know the person on the badge had to be with you at the time of parking."

Presiding magistrate David Leigh fined Aslam £200, along with £42 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.