Criminal behind bars, but his car can’t be moved from disabled bay
A PARKED car whose owner is in prison cannot be moved because it has a blue disabled badge, a council in south London has ruled.
The vehicle is reported to have been parked outside Croydon Crown Court since April 13, when David Marks, from Bromley, parked there to attend his sentencing for racially or religiously aggravated harassment.
After being found guilty of one count and pleading guilty to a second, he was jailed for 12 months.
Residents have now raised questions over the Smart car, asking why it has been allowed to take up the disabled bay for so long, despite no one using it.
But Croydon council says it does not intend to move the vehicle, as it is parked there legally.
Blue badge holders are allowed to park on single or double yellow lines for up to three hours.
However, a car parked in an onstreet disabled bay can also be left there free of charge without any time limit, unless signs say differently.
Because of this, Croydon council says that there is nothing wrong with the car being parked where it is.
As it is correctly displaying a blue badge, it is not in violation of any parking rules and can remain in the disabled bay indefinitely.
It has, however, been reported that the blue badge is due to expire soon, in which case the car may be moved by the council.
A Croydon council spokesman said: “We are aware of a car parked in Altyre Road. As long as they are parked legally and satisfy DVLA checks, cars displaying a valid blue badge can remain in a space for an indefinite period of time.”
The decision has angered some locals, who have argued that the space should be made available to people who need it – or that Marks should be charged.
One member of the public asked why the car should not be moved until the end of its owner’s sentence. He told the Croydon Advertiser: “It’s ridiculous, really. He’s already enjoying free board and lodgings – should he be receiving free parking as well?
“The car has been parked up there for months. It’s taking up a disabled bay that could be used by other people.
“He must have thought he was going to be able to drive home.
“I would fully expect the car to have been impounded or moved by now. But the council hasn’t done anything.”
Local residents joked online that now “the whole of Croydon” knows the owner is in prison, it was likely to be stolen. One person wrote on Facebook: “Some youth will steal it and sell it for cash now.”
Another posted the comment: “Probably won’t be there much longer now the whole of Croydon knows the owner ain’t around.”