Two men prosecuted for misuse of blue badges in Ipswich and Newmarket

Two men have been prosecuted for misusing a blue badge in two Suffolk towns.

Valon Aliaj, from London, appeared at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court today and pleaded guilty to unlawfully displaying a blue badge at Norwich Road Shoppers Car Park, Ipswich.

On May 14 last year, an officer encountered Aliaj, inspected the blue tag on the car and found that Aliaj was not the tag holder.

Aliaj said it belonged to a family member, which led to the emblem being seized.

The case was referred to Suffolk County Council, which found no link between the badge holder and Aliaj, who later told investigators he had found the badge in the car park and displayed it.

Aliaj was fined £166 and ordered to pay £1,500 in investigation and court costs. He had to pay a victim surcharge of £66.

Nicholas Dyerson, of Broadstairs, also appeared at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court today and pleaded guilty to unlawfully displaying a blue badge on September 10 last year.

A parking officer encountered a vehicle parked on double yellow lines in the approach road to Guineas Shopping Center in Newmarket.

The vehicle displayed a blue plate issued by Kent County Council.

The officer had observed four males exiting the vehicle.

During the badge inspection, Dyerson told the officer that he had just dropped the badge holder.

However, when the badge holder was not present at the time the vehicle was parked and Dyerson refused to contact the badge holder, the officer impounded the badge.

The matter was referred to the county council, which found that the mark belonged to a person who had died, and the mark was canceled in August 2024.

Dyerson was fined £146 and ordered to pay £942.36 in investigation and court costs and a £58 victim surcharge.

Councilor Beccy Hopfensperger, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Blue badges are an important lifeline for residents with mobility challenges, giving them the access they need to live an independent life.

“These prosecutions highlight the importance of protecting the scheme from abuse.

“The illegal misuse of a Blue Badge is unacceptable and we will continue to take robust action to protect the rights of legitimate badge holders and maintain the integrity of the scheme.”