THREE people have been fined for using disabled parking badges that didn’t belong to them.

Mei Chi Chung, 46, of Wiltshire Close, Woolston, Colin Baldwin, 80, of Forbes Close, Birchwood, and Jeanette Stringer, 55, of The Square, Stockport, pleaded guilty to the misuse of the blue badges at Warrington Magistrates' Court on April 11.

It follows an investigation into the fraudulent use of disabled parking badges by the council.

Chung and Baldwin pleaded guilty by post while Stringer admitted his guilt at Warrington Magistrates' Court.

Chung and Baldwin were each fined £190, with a victim surcharge of £30 and £180 in costs.

Stringer was fined £360 with a £30 victim surcharge and £140 legal costs.

Cllr Russ Bowden, deputy leader and executive board member for corporate finance, said: “It is a criminal offence to use a blue badge that does not belong to you and we will continue to prosecute offenders.

“Time and again we see people who blatantly disregard genuine blue badge holders who need to use designated parking spaces.

“I’d like to thank the fraud team for their persistence in cracking down on blue badge misuse.”

If you would like to report the misuse of a blue badge visit warrington.gov.uk/bluebadges and complete the online form.