BLUE fraud badge fraudsters have been fined thousands of pounds between them for trying to use badges reported missing or stolen.

Six motorists were fined between £310 and £767 each after being caught fraudulently using disabled blue badges in a prosecution brought by Brighton and Hove City Council at Eastbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The six offenders were Owen Richards of Lansdowne Place in Hove, Vimbai Shoko of Montpelier Mansions in Hove, Russell Screen of Knoll Close in Hove, Deborah Laverack of Knolton Way in Slough, William Morrison of Ditchling Road in Brighton, Carolyn Gillam of Elizabeth Avenue in Hove and Beatrix Szabo of Foxhill in Peacehaven.

All defendants pleaded guilty either by letter or at the hearing to the offence which is punishable by a maximum penalty for this offence is £1,000.

Councillor Gill Mitchell, chairwoman of Brighton and Hove City Council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee, said: “These prosecutions send out a clear message that blue badge misuse is being addressed in the city.

“The blue badge scheme is intended to make sure parking spaces are available for people who genuinely need them.

“We will continue to work with Sussex Police and East Sussex County Council to crackdown on misuse of blue badges and ensure that people with disabilities can get to and enjoy everything Brighton & Hove has to offer.”