A MAN who misused a blue disabled parking badge by parking on double yellow lines in York city centre has been hit with a £478 court bill.

Tourist Julian Balsham, 63, twice appealed against the parking ticket he was given by falsely claiming the holder of the badge, his mother, was with him at the time.

In reality, she was not.

Balsham, of Yew Tree Court, Chy Hwel, St Clements Vean, Truro, Cornwall, pleaded guilty to misusing a blue badge at York Magistrates' Court.

He was fined £40 with £408 prosecution costs and a £30 statutory surcharge.

Interviewed under caution during a City of York Council investigation, he said that he had parked on Blake Street because he was visiting a nearby tea room.

He also said that he knew he wasn’t entitled to use the blue badge if his mother wasn’t with him.

He is the second person to be prosecuted by City of York Council after parking enforcement officers carried out patrols targeting people misusing blue badges in August and November.

Cllr Jenny Brooks, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods at City of York Council, said: “This is yet another example of misuse of blue badges taking place in York city centre.

“Blue badges are for those with mobility issues and not for their family and friends to use for themselves.

“By misusing a blue badge, it directly impacts the capacity of parking for genuine badge holders.”