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One-legged driver cheated badge system
John Scheerhout
26/ 9/2008


A ONE-LEGGED driver has appeared in court - for cheating the disabled badge system.

Amanda Watson, 31, was caught using her daughter's pass to park.

Although eligible for her own Blue Badge, she never applied.

She parked in a pay-and-display bay in Lloyd Street in the city centre and was seen by an inspector placing the Blue Badge in the windscreen.

When she was challenged, the inspector found the badge had been issued to one of Miss Watson's daughters, aged nine and 12, who both have severe learning difficulties. They have to be present if the badge is used to park in a disabled space.

Miss Watson told the inspector said: "Yes. I just dropped my daughter on a school trip and I was just going shopping."

Miss Watson from North Road, Clayton, appeared in court on crutches and with the lower part of one of her limbs missing. She showed the magistrates a genuine Blue Badge she had applied for and got following the incident.

Handing the defendant an absolute discharge, chairman of the bench John Bulger, told her: "First and foremost we have to say it was right and proper for the case to be brought to court because abuse of the Blue Badge is a major issue.

"This is not the usual sort of case brought before us because it's quite clear had you applied for your own Blue Badge (before the incident) you would have been able to display it on the day."

She was told the absolute discharge counted as a conviction but was told she would not have to pay £295 costs.

It is understood she was not using her crutches and did not appear to be disabled when she was stopped.



She told officers she had just dropped off her daughter at school and thought she was allowed to use it.