A WIMBLINGTON woman is nursing a whopping �500 bill after twice being caught using her father’s disability badge to avoid paying �1 an hour for parking in Peterborough city centre.

Miranda Horne, 41, appeared before Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and pleaded guilty to misusing a disabled person’s Blue Badge contrary to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984.

She was fined �235, and ordered to pay �250 costs plus a �15 victim surcharge

The court heard that a city council civil enforcement officer saw Horne park her car with a disability badge on display in the Car Haven car park on June 6 and in St Peter’s Road on June 27.

When interviewed Horne told a city council investigator that she had brought her father into the city centre on the morning of June 27 and he had returned home earlier in the day.

However Horne had not bought a parking ticket or moved the car, claiming that she had been too busy at work.

Diane Baker, Head of Governance for Peterborough City Council, said: “Blue Badges are designed to help people with disabilities or who struggle to get around. They are not for able-bodied people to avoid parking charges.

“Those who are abusing this essential service will be brought to justice. Peterborough City Council is proactively identifying Blue Badge fraud and will continue to prosecute offenders.”

To report suspicions of Blue Badge misuse call the city council’s fraud hotline on (01733) 452250 or email fraud@peterborough.gov.uk.