A community psychiatric nurse has been fined for using a forged emergency health badge to park her car for free in a pay-and-display area near her home.
According to MailOnline, Sophie Adebayo, 38, appeared at Bexley Magistrates’ Court, where it was revealed she used a photocopied badge to park her Mercedes in a restricted parking space.
The Health Emergency Badge scheme allows authorized medical personnel to park on yellow lines, resident bays, and other designated areas while attending medical emergencies at patients’ homes.
The court heard that a parking officer spotted the suspicious badge displayed on Adebayo’s car and upon further investigation, discovered it was a photocopy.
Adebayo was fined £507, ordered to pay £1,200 in costs, and a £203 victim surcharge for the offense.
Adebayo was fined £507, with £1200 costs and must pay a £203 victim surcharge.
Magistrate Michael Foley told her: ‘What you have done is wrong. You have paid the fines for parking, but that is no excuse for what you have done.
‘We have discussed the prospect of custody and what that would mean to you, but we have taken into account your remorsefulness and defence.
‘When you are entitled to something, you are entitled to it, but when you’re not, you’re not.’
Adebayo graduated from Middlesex University, has a Masters degree from the University of East London and is employed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in south-east London.
Prosecutor Lidia Iancu, representing the Royal Borough of Greenwich, told the court: ‘When she parked her vehicle on these two occasions she displayed a copy of the Health Emergency Badge to gain a parking concession.
‘The parking officer recognised it was not genuine because of the colour etc. and that it must be a photocopy.
‘No loss can be quantified and it is minimal. It is just what she could have gained from free parking.
‘The most serious charge is making the forged article and she is clearly motivated by financial gain and it was not a one-off because she has been seen on two occasions.
‘She has photocopied a badge that is provided in the course of her employment and this was persistent in nature and it is she that gained by obtaining the forged Health Emergency Badge.’
Adebayo’s lawyer Tahera Ahmad told the court: ‘These are serious allegations and Ms Adebayo is of good character with no previous convictions.
‘She has entered a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity as she has made a mistake and accepted that mistake.
‘She made full and frank admissions when interviewed by Greenwich Council and does accept she made a copy of the badge and that was incorrect.
‘Unfortunately she had little awareness that the photocopy would be an act of fraud.
‘Her own mental health nurse was her inspiration to give back to the community and she attended university and obtained a degree.
‘She was recently promoted to clinical lead and has worked for the NHS for 15 years and has a 14 year-old son.
‘This has led her being extremely depressed and she had an anxiety attack the night before her last court appearance.
‘She is now aware of the consequences on her work, but they are yet to be realised.’
If reported to the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Adebayo may also face professional misconduct charges that could threaten her career.
