A motorist from Bricket Wood has been fined more than £200 for blue badge misuse.

Karen Patterson, of Reynard’s Way, was caught out after parking on a double yellow line in Lower High Street, Watford.

She was stopped as a part of Hertfordshire Constabulary's Operation Clamp after displaying a disabled persons’ blue badge on her car.

After questioning, it was discovered that Patterson, whose 55th birthday is tomorrow, was using the badge while its owner was not present.

She pleaded guilty to blue badge misuse at Watford Magistrates Court on Monday last week, where she was fined £85 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Garry Turner, fraud manager for Watford Borough Council, said: "The police and council regularly work together. This successful prosecution sends another clear message that blue badge misuse won't be tolerated."

The Disabled Blue Badge Scheme allows disabled people to use the badge to park nearer to their destination either as a passenger or as a driver. The badge also allows them to park on single and double yellow lines and in certain pay and display bays without charge.

Operation Clamp was launched in 2012 as a joint initiative between Herts Police and the Watford Borough Council fraud team to combat blue badge misuse.