A private hire taxi driver who used a fake blue disability badge to park in Croydon has been fined hundreds of pounds.

Josh Elvin, 29, used a counterfeit blue badge to park his black Toyota Auris on Derby Road and Leighton Street in January 2019, avoiding fees.

Croydon Council officers spotted the badge and recognised tell-tale signs that it was counterfeit.

In interview, the private hire taxi driver claimed it belonged to a friend but was unable to provide their name.

Elvin, of Vanguard Close, admitted two counts of fraud when he appeared at Camberwell Green magistrates’ court yesterday (September 10) and was ordered to pay fines totalling £750, costs of £450 and a £35 court surcharge.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for transport and environment, said: “Blue badges offer a lifeline to people who would otherwise struggle to access community facilities and this driver was selfishly and fraudulently occupying spaces he had no right to.

“We are committed to supporting our vulnerable residents, and stopping fraudsters from taking parking spaces from those genuinely in need is one way to help them.”