An Oxford woman has been fined £300 after purchasing a stolen blue parking badge from Snapchat.

Tasnim Al-Samad of Westminster Way in Botley illegally used a blue badge to park in Oxford city centre on September 26, 2023.

When officers from Oxfordshire County Council Council’s Counter Fraud Team checked the badge, they established that it had been reported stolen from the London Borough of Hillingdon and seized it.

The 21-year-old claimed at the time that the badge belonged to her friend who had been with her when she parked.

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When later interviewed under caution she admitted to having bought the badge from the social media platform Snapchat and that no one was with her when she parked.

Ms Al-Samad appeared at a hearing at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Friday (May 31) and was found guilty of such offences.

She was fined £300 plus a court charge of £120 and the county council was awarded costs of £350.

Mark Haynes, director of Customer and Culture at Oxfordshire County Council said: “People rely on their blue badges so that they can park near workplaces, supermarkets, and health facilities.

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Oxford Mail: The stolen blue badge was bought on Snapchat.The stolen blue badge was bought on Snapchat. (Image: Newsquest)

“Illegal use of the scheme denies a space to someone who really needs it.

“It is particularly concerning that this conviction involves the display of a stolen badge.

“It is not acceptable to misuse this service and the recent enforcement operation shows that this council is taking action to stop this abuse.”

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