“IT’S great to see justice served.”

That’s the view of Southampton’s top road boss after the council secured a legal win over a mother who fraudulently used a disabled parking badge.

Samina Farooq used her sickly mother’s blue badge and disabled bay outside her home in Northumberland Road, Northam, for two years - despite her being in Pakistan.

The 37-year-old was given a two-year conditional discharge by magistrates last week.

She was also told to cover the council’s court bill and cost of its investigation – totalling £500.

Commenting on the case, city council cabinet member for environment and transport, councillor Jacqui Rayment, said: “It’s great to see justice served today.

“We will always take action wherever possible to prosecute those guilty of blue badge fraud.

“This action is vital to deter illegal use and to protect the majority of blue badge users who rely on them to access vital services and to go about their daily lives.”

The city council launched its investigation into Farooq in April last year following an anonymous tip-off from a neighbour.

Council parking staff saw Farooq parking in the disabled bay outside her home with the badge – which can only be used when the holder is in the car or if they are being picked up or dropped off.

Farooq initially told officers that her mother was living with her and that she was using the badge for her benefit.

She also produced letters and bills addressed to her mother in a bid to prove her innocence.

But while being interviewed under caution, Farooq admitted her mother had been in Pakistan for “no longer than two years”.

Prosecutor Kate Rickwood, said Farooq has used the badge wrongly for her “own benefit”.

Speaking on behalf of Farooq, who did not attend court, Barry Culshaw said the application for both the badge and disabled bay had been “bona fide”.

He said that Farooq’s mother had travelled to Pakistan to see a sick relative – but had herself become to ill to make the journey back. Mr Culshaw said Farooq had used the badge to help her get between her house and car with her twins.

Magistrates accepted the application was legitimate, but said her use of the badge could have prevented others with disabilities from using the space.