A driver caught using his dead dad’s Blue Badge to get free parking has been hit with a hefty bill of more than £500.

Richard Rhodes, of Crowthers Hill, Dartmouth, pleaded guilty at Plymouth Magistrates Court to using his late father’s Blue Badge to park in the city on September 28 last year.

The 47-year-old was fined £80 and ordered to pay £450 costs plus a £20 victim surcharge.

Afterwards, Cllr Ian Darcy, cabinet member for finance for Plymouth City Council, said: ‘This follows two other Blue Badge cases last week and it is the latest in a number of successful prosecutions for the corporate fraud team.

‘We are committed to tackling Blue Badge fraud and this sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated in Plymouth.

‘Blue Badge prosecutions in Plymouth are estimated to have saved around £114,000.’