A man who used a photocopy of his son’s blue badge to park in restricted bays on Eltham High Street has been sentenced to unpaid work. 

Ahmet Colak, 45, of Longcrooft in Eltham, pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation by displaying a counterfeit blue badge on his Mercedes Benz on October 6 last year. 

The original holder of the badge, Mr Colak’s son, was not with him at the time. 

Mr Colak was prosecuted by Greenwich Council and pleaded guilty to four offences. 

On May 8 he appeared at Bexley Magistrates’ Court and was given a one-year community order including 40 hours of unpaid work. 

He was also fined £500 and told to pay a £114 surcharge. 

A council spokesperson said: “Abusing options intended for those in genuine need is a serious offence. 

“Misusing a blue badge, meant to help the disabled, not only deprives those who truly require the parking but also undermines the integrity of the entire system. 

“Such actions are deliberate and damaging, and we must work together to keep fairness and respect within our community. So, if you see something, report it.” 

Magistrates commented that Mr Colak had potentially taken a space rightfully belonging to someone else. 

They added that he knew it was not the correct badge and that he should not have been using the blue badge when his son was not with him.