A Weston-super-Mare woman was fined hundreds of pounds for misusing a blue badge.

Jenny Tyack, age 70 of The Swallows, pleaded guilty to misuse of a blue badge at North Somerset Courthouse on October 12.

The court heard how on March 19 at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre car park, she was seen by a council civil enforcement officer returning to her vehicle parked in a designated disabled badge holder’s only bay with a badge displayed.

On inspection, the officer saw it was issued to a man and questioned Tyack, who admitted she had been using it to attend a health session and the badge holder was at home.

The court ordered her to pay a £60 fine, costs of £275 and a £30 victim surcharge.

Cllr Elfan Ap Rees, the council’s deputy leader for transport, said: “This demonstrates a range of excuses to try to justify the misuse of these badges which prevents those in genuine need from using the bays.”