A bus driver has been fined for illegally using a disabled parking badge.

Khublall Lochan, of Aslett Street Wandsworth, was caught using a relatives parking permit in Burstock Road, Putney.

A Mitcham man and a Twickenham man were also found by Wandsworth Council to be abusing blue badges in Tooting and Putney.

Richmond Magistrates Court heard he was minutes away from his workplace at Putney bus garage.

A judge ordered him to pay a fine of £495, as well as £542 court costs and £20 victim surcharge, during the court hearing on April 23 last week.

Another three drivers were found illegally using the blue badges, which allow disabled people to park closer to their destination.

John Whitlow, of Surrey, was caught using his mother's badge to park outside her home in St Ann's Hill, Wandsworth, and was ordered to pay a total of £765.

Anies Khan, of Russell Road, Mitcham, was fined £1,000, including costs of £542 and £20 victim surcharge.

The court heard he used his relative's badge to park close to Tooting Broadway station for most of the day.

Nima Khalilifar, of Hospital Bridge Road, Twickenham, was found using his mother's badge to park in Schubert Road, Putney and fined a total of £420.

The fraudsters were not accompanied were never accompanied by a disabled person, despite being spotted using badges on repeated occasions.

Wandsworth Council's permit fraud team are actively investigating misuse of the badges, with about 500 drivers being brought before the courts.

Councillor Russell King, cabinet member for transport, said: "These drivers seem to have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about a leaving a disabled relative cooped up indoors all day just so that they can bag a free parking space.

"There is growing evidence that many disabled people feel bullied and pressured by their relatives into handing over their blue badges.

"This callous attitude to disability demonstrates just how vital it is for all local authorities across the country to tackle this problem."

Anyone with information about blue badge misuse can call 0800 085 0866 or email parking@wandsworth.gov.uk