Disabled badge misuse?

[Boofshoes]

I've just had lunch with a friend at a soft play so I was expecting a light afternoon. They confided in me that their partner has started taking their disabled badge and using it without them with them when they are wfh. I told them it's a criminal act and they said they've told them that but can't stop them. Will my friend get in trouble if someone reports it or will just the partner?

Her blue badge will be taken off her if they're caught.

She'll lose the badge if it's reported as being abused

I’m pretty certain they will have the badge revoked if they’re found out. I’ve recently been given a badge and they’re very clear that it’s only for me. Eg my husband can’t leave me in the car but use my badge to park as he’s with a disabled person.

It's all on the badge holder am afraid.

The criminal conviction?

Yes. It's her badge. It's her responsibility. Its quite clear when you get your badge

Shes risking a lot letting him use it

They aren't letting them, they're just taking it. They've told them not to

Misuse of a blue badge which clearly this is can result in it being forfeited which would clearly impact you.

It really is not worth the risk of losing the badge, over this. Why is the husband taking it anyway?

Your friend has to report to police. If he's caught, she's at risk of a conviction for allowing misuse.

And yes, by not reporting him, she is allowing.

Also, if her car is classified as disabled and he's using that too, even bigger crime.

The husband really needs to see the bigger picture here. It is not worth losing the badge due to misuse. It will greatly impact the person for whom it is meant for, surely. Does that not matter to him?

Allowing misuse can result in criminal proceedings, a hefty fine, rescinding the badge and even custodial sentences. However, she is not 'allowing' him to use it - he is taking it. But because she knows this, she is in effect allowing it by virtue of the fact she isn't reporting it stolen. They could both be in trouble if caught.

She needs to hide it from him, she would never be allowed another one if caught.

I don't like the partner for a lot of reasons, this is just another example of their lack of regard for my friend. They work in the care sector too so it's even worse they would do that

I'd wonder how else her partner is mistreating her. Clearly has no respect for her.

Well she needs to stop letting him take it. Hide it or something. She's totally responsible for it & the consequences of its misuse.

It's not just that easy

Then, as it's a crime involving trust, he is risking his job too........

I take it the partner is overstepping their more vulnerable (I'm making the assumption of vulnerability both because they're disabled enough for a blue badge, and her wishes regarding her property are being ignored) partner in lots of other ways and they have limited options without some quite hard consequences?

I'd speak with her about keeping hold of her own blue badge, if he asks for it have a pre made reason for not handling it over - seeing a crackdown on Facebook, make a song and dance of coming with them and following the rules using it. If it gets bad, saying it's lost or stolen so he gets out of the habit of using it.

Can anyone tell the partner that this isn't ok? Is there anyone from their extended family they'll listen too?

It's bloody awful this is happening, but if they are in a truly bad position there are very few options, I really feel for them.

There's no active abuse as far as I'm aware but they run roughshod over them and they convince them they know best because of their vulnerabilities, as you say. I'd say the partner absolutely knows its not ok and I have no idea why they would risk their own job either. They've convinced my friend that only they would get in trouble for it and not my friend if they were stopped. They do something for some sort of child protection agency, I'm not sure what

If that were true, it wouldn't be the worse thing in the world the partner getting caught

DH’s brother got in a lot of trouble for this. I can’t remember the exact punishment but he definitely went to court and I think it was a fine.

Story in our local rag today about someone who has just been ordered to pay £3600 in fines and costs for misuse of a blue badge. It's not the 1st case with large fines/costs either.
I hope your friend thinks it's worth it. I know parking costs have risen in most places lately, but £3600 is a lot of parking fees!

That’s not 100% true about the car, it depends on how it’s been classified. For example, my medical condition means I’m legally not allowed to drive. I am the leaseholder of a motability car but DH is the registered driver. He’s allowed to drive it without me in it if it’s for my benefit eg collecting a prescription or going to the supermarket to buy the food shop.

My friend doesn't, they aren't the one doing it

Did they both get a court appearance or just the person who used it wrongly, or just the badge holder?