A 49-YEAR-OLD woman was still using her father’s disabled parking badge six months after he had died.

Blackburn magistrates heard Denise Heckingbottom claimed the badge had been sold with her dad’s car but was then caught using both.

Heckingbottom, of Whitebirk Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty by letter to three charges of unlawful use of a disabled badge. She was fined £300 and must pay £300 costs.

Andrea Forrest, prosecuting for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the defendant’s father, John Heckingbottom, passed away in July. Enforcement notices were issued on his Toyota Yaris on October 25 and 27 and January 1. She said the council received complaints about the continued use of the badge.

Miss Forrest said Heckingbottom phoned the council and claimed family members were making “malicious allegations.”

When an enforcement notice was attached to the car she said several times she was a blue badge holder.

A letter from solicitors read to the court said Heckingbottom had set up a new business selling advertising for a free magazine.

The letter said use of the permit allowed Heckingbottom to meet deadlines and commitments to clients.